Student VISA Costs: Help Melina and Alana Return to the US

Hello friends,

During RISD's winter break, Melina and her partner, Alana, traveled back to Brazil to visit family and are now unable to return to the US.

Melina has applied twice already for her student visa, and has been denied. She can not afford to pay for the application a third time, and was unable to afford the third party company recommended by RISD during the first two attempts. This process is very costly, and needs to happen before the spring semester in order for Melina to keep her fellowship.

We are asking if you can contribute any amount to help raise funds to cover the following costs: a consultation with a third party company recommended by RISD to guide interview prep with former visa officers on staff ($789.00), the application fee for Melina's student visa ($470.00), and the cost of gas ($141.00) and the cost of a flight for Melina and Alana ($600.00) to access the consulate in Brazil. Finally, we're raising an additional $500.00 for their everyday living expenses during this unanticipated situation. Our total fundraising goal is $2,500.

They already had to let go of their car, furniture, and apartment. They had to give their cat up for adoption to friends. RISD has provided some emergency funding to cover housing insecurity, but they are not able to provide any funding to support with the visa process.

Melina began her graduate degree in Landscape Architecture at RISD this past fall with incredible promise, let's help her come back to finish her degree. RISD needs her perspective, her thoughtfulness, and the experience and spirit she brings to this community!