Main fundraiser photo

Help A Navajo Student Pay Tuition For USC

Donation protected
Ya'at'eeh (hello), my name is Kolton Nephew and I am a 3rd year student at the University of Southern California (USC). Additionally, I am a Journalism major with an English minor, with hopes of soon becoming a journalist reporting on indigenous issues around the world. I am an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and grew up both on and off the reservation in the Four Corners Region. However, I always remained close enough to attend family, religious, and community events yearly.

That changed when I recently transferred to USC at the start of my sophomore year (2019-2020) from a local community college in Colorado. From the start I found my heart set on graduating from this beautiful and prestigious university based in one of the most lively cities in the world. 

Even within less than a year of being at the school, I was able to be very active in the small Native American community we have on campus. Eventually joining the Native American Student Assembly (formerly NASU) and advocate for more recognition of USC's Native Trojans.  Not only allowing ourselves to become a cultural assembly instead of a religious organization on campus and opening the doors for other POC at this predominantly white institution. 

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of my parents was not able to be hired due to state mandated  hiring freezes until further notices. Ultimately, cutting off a major income source into my household and forcing me to rethink my educational plan.

Additionally, USC released my financial aid packet earlier this week and to my surprise, my gift aid the schools gives me and which I heavily depend on to cover tuition was cut to less than half than last year. The total amount I need for this entire school year is $30,000 however, I am asking for $15,000 as it would cover this upcoming Fall 2020 semester. Allowing me until the start of next year and semester to continue applying for grants and scholarships. Even with using all of my work study and maxing out my student loans, I would still have to pay up to $20,000. Additionally, I have two hybrid classes (combination of in-person and online teaching) for my major and minor, so I would need to return to Los Angeles and have housing settled.

However, discussions of what I am going to do for the upcoming semester with my family felt financially defeating. A few choices given were to cut my two hybrid classes for any random online class and push my graduation date up a semester. Or the idea of transferring back to an affordable school came up as well. Additionally, plunging ourselves into financial debt to pay for the school year is too much of a burden for them to take on However, I am determined to find my way back to USC this semester and continue my educational journey. 

The total amount I need for this entire school year is $30,000 however, I am asking for $15,000 as it would cover this upcoming Fall 2020 semester. Allowing me until the start of next year and semester to continue applying for grants and scholarships. 

I am a well taught individual who carries traditional Navajo teachings handed down from previous resilient generations and blend them into my writing and reporting. I always knew my life goal was to help those that were once in my position when I was younger. I carry the words of helping those whose voices and stories were silenced. So, I fell in love with allowing my platform to truly give people a voice in a world that tries to push them out. I have been able to have two published stories detailing being Native American in the 21st century on the website www.verygoodlight.com

Hopefully, with this fundraiser, you are able to see the glimmer of determination and hope I have in my eyes. Your donation does not only help me but inspires other young native scholars to see that people do support their dreams. To make our families, tribes, and ancestors proud. Ahehee' (thank you)!

Venmo: @nephewk

*Update, I am going through an appeal with financial aid after initially contacting them and explaining my same situation and waiting to hear back from them. Thank you to all who have given me resources about it! 

 GoFundMe Giving Guarantee

This fundraiser mentions donating through another platform, but please know that only donations made on GoFundMe are protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.

Organizer

Kolton Nephew
Organizer

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.