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Help me finish my last semester of school!

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I am an international student in the last semester of my undergraduate degree in Psychology at a renowned, top-ranking institution. I came to Canada at 18 after working day and night to get into the program of my choice — I has always wanted to go into social work, especially in NGOs, and I am a diligent and hard working person working towards achieving my goals. In my first year, I received a scholarship with outstanding grades. However, the sudden change from living in an unknown city, not knowing a single person impacted me a lot.  Due to my deteriorating mental health, my grades dropped and in my second year, I no longer qualified for the scholarship.  For almost 3 years, I have struggled and worked myself to the bone to cover my expenses, putting my mental and physical health on the sidelines. My mom helped me pay the tuition amount. My mom has been the sole breadwinner of the house, singlehandedly raised 4 of us and provided us with good education opportunities, coming from a low-income background. She used up all her savings and retirement money in helping pay for my tuition.  Now, I don't have the funds to pay for my very last semester. I brought my grades up in 3rd year but couldn’t qualify for another award.  I have four more courses left to go that are yet to be paid for. Having met with financial advising, academic advising, and international student advising, I have desperately tried to work out a way to pay for my courses. All of them have been unhelpful, and have told me that the only option for me is to drop out.  My university does not have any form of financial aid set up for international students, who are also not eligible for loans, private and public. I cannot take a semester off, since it would affect my eligibility for a post-graduate work permit, and dropping out is not a safe choice since it would require me to return to my home country, Pakistan. The visa requirements also state that I am only allowed to work 20 hours per week, which is enough to pay for rent, insurance, and other living expenses but not my extremely high tuition. I have exhausted all options and cannot find a way. Stuck between the unmovable rock and hard place that are student visa requirements and an unhelpful university, I have no-one to turn to besides the support of the community. I have worked incredibly hard to get into this university, and have worked through this program for over three years.  Having come this far with all my struggles, not completing my degree is breaking my heart. My ultimate wish is to finish those last four courses and graduate. I am asking for the help of those who are able to give financial aid where the system has failed. The four courses add up to $15, 500, and with a small support from a large amount of people, I can finally reach my goal.
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    Organizer and beneficiary

    Ivy Martin-Moore
    Organizer
    Vancouver, BC
    Sarah Marvi
    Beneficiary

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