Support Annabelle's Family After Dad's Loss

Hi all, I'm Annabelle (a student at UTD in Dallas. TX). On July 17th, my dad whom I love very much passed away suddenly while I was away at school. Now that he's gone, my mom has been scrambling for funds to pay for both the funeral (which has totaled to almost $4000) and double tuition costs because my younger brother and I are in college at the same time. My brother's tuition is far higher than mine due to his major, and right now my mom is unable to pay for both the funeral and all of our tuition. Both parents were working in order to fully support financial costs.

I spoke with every single financial office that UTD had (bursar, financial aid, AES scholarship), and INCLUDING the Dean's office. Every single one of them turned their backs on me with a cold shoulder, saying they were unwilling to spare a couple thousand dollars to help while they continue to ruthlessly spend on administrative costs and an unnecessary esports building and construction. All of them said they had nothing to offer but deemed to "keep me in their thoughts". I did not ask for a full ride or anything. Just a little bit of aid.

I work part-time right now but as a student worker I'm only allowed to work up to 20 hours. Loans are the last thing I want due to extremely high interest rates, and my last resort would be to find a second job on top of my already maxed out schedule (trying to graduate early).

My options are limited. Already a full time student in a race to graduate as fast as possible plus a part-time job, I don't have many good choices open. My only possibilities are taking out a massive loan, find a second job, drop out, or this. I typically pride myself on never having to ask for help or for money at all, but I realize that this is impossible without help as tuition is due in August.

I hate asking strangers for money, but this was the option many recommended me I try and see if anyone has spare kindness. I'm just asking for enough to pay for what the funeral would cost, so that my mom can focus on my brother and the funeral costs instead of my tuition.

All donations will cover my own tuition so that my mom can focus on my younger brother and the funeral costs instead of me (I'm still working my job as well). I will end the fundraiser by the end of the year of 2025 OR if the total donation amount somehow exceeds 8.5k (I don't want to be greedy or ask for more than what I need in the first place).