I am Dr. Stacey Patton, author and journalism professor who is raising money for graduating seniors at Morgan State University and Howard University.

Graduation should be the finish line. For many cash-strapped college students, it isn’t.

Every year, students who have completed their degrees, passed their classes, met every academic requirement, are stopped just weeks before graduation because of unpaid balances. These aren’t always large debts. Sometimes it’s $700. Sometimes it’s $1,200. Sometimes it’s more than $10,000. But for students and families already stretched thin, it might as well be impossible.

Last year, I saw this happen and decided to do something about it with a little help from my social media village.

I put out a call to help a few students who were at risk of not graduating. What happened next was incredible. In less than one week, people came together and we raised over $80,000. More than two dozen students were able to clear their balances and walk across that stage.

That moment changed everything for me. Because it made one thing clear: this barrier is real, and it is solvable . . . if people step in.

And now, it’s happening again. Graduation is one month away, and the emails are already coming in. Students who are academically cleared and ready to graduate are now facing financial holds they cannot resolve in time. The emails are already coming in. One student owes $1,277. Another has exhausted every loan option. Families are doing everything they can, but there is no safety net at the final stretch.

This is the quiet crisis no one talks about. The last barrier between a student and the degree they have already earned.

So I’m asking for your help. Your donation will go directly toward clearing outstanding balances for students who are at risk of not graduating. Students will submit a request form along with their outstanding bill from the Bursar's Office. Payments will be supplied to students via CashApp, Zelle, cash, or the funds can be paid directly to the university bursar's office if they prefer, and a payment receipt must be submitted. Every dollar matters. Funds can cover remaining tuition costs or other student fees.

Every contribution moves someone closer to that stage. And together, we can do what we’ve already proven is possible. We can get them across that stage. If you can give, give. If you can’t, share this campaign. Because no student who has done the work should be stopped at the finish line because of money.

Let’s make sure they graduate!

Thank you for your support!

S. Patton