NYU Student Faces Deportation Over Tuition & Fees
Donation protected
This fundraising campaign is set up by members of GSOC-UAW 2110 to support an international student and former member who wishes to stay anonymous. They have recently graduated from NYU’s School of Dentistry in the top 15% of their class but are facing potential deportation to their home country, which is currently an active war zone, because NYU will not confer their degree until their outstanding balance is paid off. We welcome donations from GSOC members, other units in our local, friends, and supporters!
The student joined NYU in 2012 and has successfully completed and fully paid for several degrees. However, most recently, they have faced difficulties in obtaining funds for their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Although they have fulfilled all academic requirements for the completion of the DDS program in May 2020 due to an outstanding balance of $167,306, NYU refuses to confer the student their hard-won degree. Because of the ongoing war in Libya, there are currently no working telephones or internet in their hometown, and they have been cut off from their family and finances in Libya. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the current situation even further.
Since they have not officially been granted their degree, they cannot begin working their dental residency (which they have already secured) and are potentially going to lose their Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the next 60 days. The student is accumulating late fees and NYU has said that their balance will be transferred to collection agencies unless a substantial portion of what they owe is paid. Although NYU has offered the student a payment plan, the university will not confer their degree until the full balance is paid off. Without their degree, they are unable to start working and begin paying down the amount. Furthermore, the terms of the payment plan are unreasonable and the student is unable to pay at the rate NYU has outlined. They have been repeatedly refused private loans and are ineligible for many other sources of financial support because of their Libyan citizenship.
They are not only an outstanding student, but also an independent person who is full of energy, strength and positivity, and who has never given up despite their difficult circumstances. This is no easy feat! The ongoing war in their home country has impacted them and their family in unspeakable ways, including physical, emotional, and financial hardship. Throughout all of this they have been fully committed to pursuing their education at NYU.
They are an active member of the NYC community. Those of us who know them are regularly inspired, energized, and supported by their spirit and passion for helping others. They are involved with local organizations including Doctors Without Borders, NYC blood center, and more recently with the senior community service to support our senior members during COVID 19 Pandemic.
Our union's constitution reads: "It shall be the duty of each member to render aid and assistance to brother or sister members in cases of illness, death or distress." Now is the time to come together and support our former member! Please give what you can — however big or small. We need these funds quickly so they get their degree, maintain their legal status, and have a chance for a life in the United States. Together we can support this amazing person!
The student joined NYU in 2012 and has successfully completed and fully paid for several degrees. However, most recently, they have faced difficulties in obtaining funds for their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Although they have fulfilled all academic requirements for the completion of the DDS program in May 2020 due to an outstanding balance of $167,306, NYU refuses to confer the student their hard-won degree. Because of the ongoing war in Libya, there are currently no working telephones or internet in their hometown, and they have been cut off from their family and finances in Libya. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the current situation even further.
Since they have not officially been granted their degree, they cannot begin working their dental residency (which they have already secured) and are potentially going to lose their Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the next 60 days. The student is accumulating late fees and NYU has said that their balance will be transferred to collection agencies unless a substantial portion of what they owe is paid. Although NYU has offered the student a payment plan, the university will not confer their degree until the full balance is paid off. Without their degree, they are unable to start working and begin paying down the amount. Furthermore, the terms of the payment plan are unreasonable and the student is unable to pay at the rate NYU has outlined. They have been repeatedly refused private loans and are ineligible for many other sources of financial support because of their Libyan citizenship.
They are not only an outstanding student, but also an independent person who is full of energy, strength and positivity, and who has never given up despite their difficult circumstances. This is no easy feat! The ongoing war in their home country has impacted them and their family in unspeakable ways, including physical, emotional, and financial hardship. Throughout all of this they have been fully committed to pursuing their education at NYU.
They are an active member of the NYC community. Those of us who know them are regularly inspired, energized, and supported by their spirit and passion for helping others. They are involved with local organizations including Doctors Without Borders, NYC blood center, and more recently with the senior community service to support our senior members during COVID 19 Pandemic.
Our union's constitution reads: "It shall be the duty of each member to render aid and assistance to brother or sister members in cases of illness, death or distress." Now is the time to come together and support our former member! Please give what you can — however big or small. We need these funds quickly so they get their degree, maintain their legal status, and have a chance for a life in the United States. Together we can support this amazing person!
Organizer and beneficiary
Ellis Garey
Organizer
New York, NY
Hope Future
Beneficiary
