From Rural Bihar to Ivy League: Help Me Empower the Next Gen

Support a First-Generation Student's Journey to Higher Education

Hello, everyone,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.

My name is Niraj Kumar Singh, and I am a first-generation student from Saran (Chhapra), Bihar, India. I come from a humble background in a small village where my parents work as agricultural laborers. Growing up below the poverty line, I quickly realized that education was the only way to break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for myself and my community.

My Urgent Appeal: Help Me Continue My Education at Penn

Currently, I am pursuing a master’s degree in education at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)—one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the world. As a first-generation student from a small village in Bihar, India, this journey is a dream come true and a testament to the power of education to transform lives.

However, this dream now faces a serious challenge. Despite receiving partial aid, I am facing an academic emergency. I urgently need to raise $25,000 to cover critical summer tuition and academic expenses. These funds will support:

Summer tuition fees

Essential educational resources (textbooks, research materials)

Academic software and digital learning tools

Safe and stable student accommodation

Without this support, I may be compelled to pause or withdraw from my studies—putting both my education and the mission I’ve dedicated my life to at risk.

I’m reaching out through this campaign to financially bridge the gap and make sure I have what I need to continue my education without interruption. Your support means everything—it will help me stay on track with my studies and work toward making a real impact in the field of education. Your support is crucial for me to continue my education.

My Journey and Commitment to Education

Growing up, I witnessed how education can transform lives and communities. Through my own struggles and achievements, I came to understand the transformative power of education, especially for first-generation learners like me.

During the global pandemic, I played a key role in a vaccination campaign that reached over 2 million people across India. Additionally, I conducted social work interventions in eight countries across South Asia, empowering more than 10,000 adolescents with essential skills and knowledge.

At UPenn, I am learning the tools and knowledge to design evidence-based educational interventions. Through critical courses like Qualitative Methods and the Politics of Knowledge and NGOs and International Development, I am learning how to improve educational outcomes for marginalized communities—both in India and the United States.

Your Support is Important

Your donation, no matter the dollar, will make a meaningful difference—it will have a tremendous impact on my ability to continue my studies. With your help and support, I can pursue my education and carry forward my mission to make education accessible and equitable for vulnerable students.

Thank you again for your support and for being part of this transformative journey.

Warm regards,

Niraj Kumar Singh