The Life We Left Behind

Two years ago, my life was uprooted. My single father, my two brothers, and I fled the war in Ukraine and arrived in Canada with only what we could carry. Starting over in a new country with no connections was the hardest thing we’ve ever done, but we were determined to build a future here. My father works tirelessly as a building manager to support our family of four, but as a newcomer family living paycheck to paycheck, we simply do not have the savings to cover the upfront costs of a university education.

A Sudden Window of Opportunity

Despite the challenges of displacement, I refused to let the war take my education. I poured every ounce of my energy into my studies, and it paid off: I was accepted into every university I applied to, including a Major in Computer Science at the University of Toronto.

Recently, U of T announced that they will allow CUAET students to attend at domestic tuition rates for the upcoming year. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, but it comes with a major hurdle: I must pay a $5,000 deposit by June 2nd to secure my spot. While this deposit covers a large portion of my first-year tuition, I still need to bridge the gap for housing, food, and the equipment necessary for my studies.

The Scholarship Trap

The most heartbreaking part of this journey has been the "Scholarship Trap." Because of my high grades, I was awarded over $10,000 CAD in scholarships from several universities. However, I’ve since learned that these awards are strictly for "International Fee-Paying" students.

I am stuck in a position where I am neither eligible for domestic support through OSAP nor the scholarships that would support students paying international tuition rates. By being granted the domestic rate—which is the only way I can even consider attending—I am forced to forfeit the very scholarships I earned through my hard work.

A Kick-Start to Independence

I am not looking for a full ride for my entire degree. My goal of $18,000 is intended to cover my first-year tuition, housing, and essentials like a laptop and books. Securing these funds now will give me the stability I need to focus on my studies and find a path to support myself for the rest of my degree.

I just need help with the initial bridge—a one-time kick-start to meet the urgent June 2nd deadline and cover my first year. Your support will help me get the ball rolling on a career at one of the best universities in the world, a future I have fought so hard to deserve.

How You Can Help:

With the June 2nd deadline fast approaching, every day counts.

Thank you for seeing me, and for helping me take this vital step forward.