My name is De’Etra, and I am a single mother doing everything in my power to support my son’s dream of studying abroad at Temple University Japan (TUJ). Ty major is Sports Management and Entertainment Hospitality. He wants to be a Sports agent, commentator or in the Sports streaming industry, he wants to be in the Sports industry. Ty worked incredibly hard to earn scholarships and grants that covered almost all of his fall tuition. So I borrowed from my pension to cover fees early on. Now my pension says I have to retire to get anything else which is insane because it’s my money. I paid what I needed to pay then to be on the safe side I applied through my job for the tuition exchange program and was denied because my start date was 18 days too late. I was upset. Then when I received the bill showing a “–$10,000” balance, with a “your payments, grants and scholarships exceeded the balance”, I was shocked and grateful because it meant I had over paid them, the grants & scholarships exceeded the owed amount but at least he had a refund coming and was fully covered.

Ty moved into his dorm in Japan, school began, I have to pay out of pocket for meals daily and his daily transportation, he even purchased a bike, on his own, to get to school to cut down on the costs of his transportation and everything seemed stable…until we were told another bill would post in late September.

That bill didn’t arrive until much later and it revealed something I wasn’t prepared for.

The Unexpected Financial Barrier

Ty suddenly had an $8,000 balance that must be paid for him to remain enrolled.

I immediately applied for a Parent PLUS loan through the U.S. Department of Education.

I was approved.

But Temple University would not process it because of a $2,900 old student loan I had years ago.

They informed me that even if I pay the $2,000 balance today, I must wait 30 days or so to receive the official clearance letter they require.

Ty’s deadline does not allow for that.

The Consequence If This Balance Isn’t Paid

If we cannot pay the $8,000 balance, even temporarily:

• Ty will be removed from his courses

• He will lose his visa status

• He will need to leave Japan immediately even though he’s coming home for Xmas he will only be able to go back to get his belongings but will have to leave immediately & that will cost me to get him a return flight home again

• He cannot transfer back to the PA campus

• He will lose all the belongings he has in his dorm (it’s too much luggage he cannot bring them home on his own)

As a mother, this is heartbreaking to even write.

I am carrying this entirely on my own. I have exhausted every option, payment plans are not available for international students, and financial aid timelines do not match what the university requires right now.

Why I’m Asking for Help

I know it’s the holiday season, and many families are stretched thin.

I am not asking for much I am asking for community, compassion, and support for a child who worked extremely hard to create a future bigger than his circumstances.

Keeping Ty enrolled means:

• He stays on track to earn his degree

• His visa remains active

• He gets to continue living the dream he fought for

• He avoids being displaced from Japan with nowhere to return academically

I just need help getting over this immediate financial barrier while I work out a long-term solution for the spring.

How Funds Will Be Used

Every dollar will go directly to:

✔️ The $8,000 balance required for Ty to remain enrolled at Temple

✔️ Any platform or transfer fees associated with sending payment to the university

Nothing else. I will post receipts and updates for transparency.

From One Parent to Another…

Being a single mom is the hardest job I’ve ever had but also the most rewarding.

Ty is a good young man with goals, discipline, and heart. He deserves this chance.

If you can help no matter the amount it would mean the world to us.

If you cannot donate, please share this link. Your share might reach the person who can.

Thank you for reading our story.

Thank you for seeing us.

And thank you for helping me keep my son in school and in the place he dreamed of being.

With gratitude,

De’Etra & Ty