Hello! My name is Shannon McKinnion. I'm a midlife geology graduate student finishing my final quarter, working on my master's thesis, and on track to be done by December 2025. My thesis is the use of Lidar to study changes in terrain roughness in tsunami inundation plains at two sites in Alaska.

But, life is not without challenges. My spouse is currently away dealing with the passing of a loved one, leaving me to pack up the apartment alone. The day before classes started, I was told that, due to sudden changes in how the Department of Education determines the amount of time to complete a Geology (or most STEM) degree, the financial aid I had been awarded and had budgeted for had been rescinded for me and many other students. (It was cut from 135 units to 60), canceling my student loan.

I was able to scrape together enough to pay for this quarter, but I HAVE to complete this quarter or else. Plus, I have moving expenses, living expenses, AND planned facial surgery that was scheduled last March for this November, which means I will lose two weeks of my campus job as well. I will not be able to apply for PhD programs as I planned either.

I know that times are tough for everyone right now, but if anyone can help me get over the finish line and get my degree completed, I would VERY much be grateful!!

This is the last thing I need to do. I'm scheduled to defend my thesis on November 20th. I submit everything on December 4th, and should be officially awarded my master's degree in Geology right after that.