My name is Tesfamichael. I am a senior at the University of Kentucky, double-majoring in Neuroscience and Biology. My long-term goal is to become a Pediatric Neurosurgeon, a path that has guided every choice I’ve made—from the classes I take to the research I pursue. I currently work in the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Department, gaining experience that strengthens my commitment to this field.

I am now just one semester away from completing my degree. Unfortunately, an unexpected financial crisis within my family has left me with an unpaid balance from my junior year. This balance is blocking me from registering for my final semester, even though my senior year is fully covered by a scholarship.

As an international student from Ethiopia, maintaining full-time enrollment is essential to keeping my student status. If I cannot register for my final semester due to this unpaid balance, I risk losing my visa status. This would not only interrupt my education but also force me to leave the country before completing my degree. I currently cannot afford the cost of returning home, which makes resolving this balance even more urgent.

I am turning to this community because I truly need help. Every contribution—no matter the size—brings me one step closer to paying off this remaining balance and completing the last semester of my undergraduate journey.

Verification Contact (University of Kentucky):

Name: Audra Cryder

Position: Director of International Enrollment Management

Your support would not only help me clear this financial hurdle but also keep alive the dream I’ve worked for years to achieve. I hope to one day serve children and families as a Pediatric Neurosurgeon—and I am so close to making that future possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you are able to offer. It truly means more than I can express.