My name is Andres, I am a Colombian undocumented immigrant living in New York City, and I need your support to pursue my dream of attending Columbia University.

I came to the U.S. in 2015 and ever since I have tried to make the best decisions for my life despite the obstacles and difficulties that come with being undocumented. I made the difficult decision to leave Colombia, as professional and financial opportunities were very limited, in addition to the political and social unrest, and constantly facing fear and danger due to very high rates of criminality and social inequality.

Living in New York City for the past few years made me realize how important it was for me to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in International Affairs. From a young age, I had the dream of becoming a diplomat. I knew I could no longer wait for a clear path to American citizenship to become someone influential. I genuinely believe that being educated and having access to a higher degree would give me greater power. It is true, “knowledge is power”.

I knocked on many doors and was able to take my last college classes at the City College of New York, whilst interning at one of the most influential immigrant-based NGOs in the U.S. Make the Road New York, and studied languages (Italian, French, and Arabic). In 2019, I obtained an undergraduate degree from one of the most prestigious universities in my home country. I am sure that God made his way to help me through the process of getting my degree and keep pursuing my dreams, regardless of any circumstances.

Having almost everything against me, I always had in mind to go one step further and pursue a graduate degree at an American University (considering that education is accessible in many cases regardless of immigration status).

Well, the time has come, and after months of preparation and fulfilling requirements such as multiple essays, letters of recommendations, videos, interviews, exams, etc, I was admitted to SIPA at Columbia University and was awarded a $40,000 USD scholarship for the duration of the master’s degree in International Affairs, with a concentration in Energy and Environment, and a specialization in International Conflict Resolution. This scholarship is an honor and opportunity that only 25 to 30 percent of the admitted students receive. For those who do not know, SIPA is one of the most prestigious schools for global affairs and public administration in the world.

It is not a secret that going to graduate school is a major financial decision. I have been working full time as a server/barista during the pandemic to save up money and I’ve been trying very hard in order to get more funding and additional resources. Unfortunately, these resources are very limited for those who do not have legal status in the U.S. I am not allowed to apply for federal loans and private loans have their own cons. (I already have secured a private educational loan from an organization based in London). The total cost of attending a two-year master’s degree at SIPA is $130,000 USD excluding living expenses.

Regardless of my scholarship, my own personal savings, and a private educational loan, I am still in need of help. I will begin my orientation on August 30th and have until September 24th to prove that I have the funding necessary to meet the financial requirements for the 2021-2022 school year. I need your help to raise an additional $20,000 to put towards part of the tuition fees, medical insurance, and uncovered living expenses while attending Columbia University.

My story represents millions of undocumented folks who fight and live for a better future in this amazing country that is a land of promise and opportunity for all. All my life, I’ve tried to be a generous person and I hope that with the help of your generosity, I can make this dream a reality. Having access to the exclusive knowledge taught at the School of International Affairs and Public Administration (SIPA) at Columbia University is going to be a life-changing opportunity in a country that needs more leadership coming from my underprivileged and marginalized community.