Hi everyone,

My name is Steve VanValkenburgh. I'm 27 and living in Brooklyn, NY. Asking for help has never come easy for me, but I've reached a point where I can't do this alone.

I'm a first-generation college student who earned a BA in Communications and am now pursuing a Master's in Project Management at NYU. I currently hold a 3.5 GPA and have always made it a priority to put in the time and effort needed to succeed. Throughout both my undergraduate and graduate programs, I've supported myself entirely without any financial help from family, balancing work and school to stay on track.

This year, things took a difficult turn. I was unemployed for several months and recently started a seasonal part-time job to stay afloat. During that time, I fell $2,000 behind on rent, and to make matters worse, the loans that had previously covered my tuition were unexpectedly denied. I now owe $2,500 for the fall semester and $8,000 for the spring semester, and without payment, I risk being unable to finish my final semester.

I've come so far and am determined to graduate. Completing this degree would open the door to better opportunities, financial stability, and a chance to build a career where I can give back.

Any amount you can give will help me get through this last stretch and get back on my feet. Even sharing this page means more than I can express. I'm deeply grateful for every bit of kindness and support.

Thank you for believing in me.

With appreciation,

Steve VanValkenburgh