Hi, I’m Jared (they/he/she/el/ella) If we don't know each other, I’m a queer, Chicanx, first-generation graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Utah, and I’m reaching out to ask for your support.

I’m currently raising $9,046.72 to cover my Advanced Standing Master Summer semester tuition, fees, and e-learning access—essential costs that aren't covered by my usual financial aid or grants as an undergrad.

This semester, I had major surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome—a condition that caused chronic pain and nerve compression in my right arm and shoulder. The procedure involved removing a rib, repositioning muscles, and removing scar tissue around my brachial plexus nerves. While healing, I continued my coursework, my internship at the HIV Clinic at the University of Utah Hospital and a BSW capstone research project—all while navigating severe ADHD and limited work capacity due to chronic pain.

I budgeted as carefully as I could with my Spring financial aid, but I didn’t realize that many of the grants I relied on as an undergrad don’t apply to Summer for graduate students. I was advised to apply for a Grad PLUS loan to fill the gap but was denied due to poor credit, because, ya know.... Capitalism.

This puts me in a painful situation: if I can’t enroll this Summer, I lose my Advanced Standing status—which means losing my placement at a dream practicum site, working with some of the most marginalized folks in our community, and being pushed into the longer two-year track instead of graduating next Spring to do the damn thing.

So I’m asking for help to stay on track.

What Your Donation Covers (And What It Feels Like):

$5 = A community care hug

(AKA that single iced coffee you didn’t even like)

$10 = One day of online course access

(Or one late-night DoorDash delivery fee with tip… for food that arrived cold anyway.)

$25 = An e-textbook rental

(Basically that random Target run where you went in for one thing and came out with a basket of vibes.)

$50 = A full day of tuition

(About the same as your weekend brunch tab with that one friend who always orders the extra mimosa on you.)

$100 = One week course platform access

(Or two impulse Amazon orders you forgot about until they showed up at your door.)

$250 = One graduate-level credit hour

(The cost of a concert ticket + drinks + regret for standing the whole time.)

$1,000 = A major chunk of tuition and the chance to stay enrolled

(Or four months of subscriptions you forgot to cancel.)