Hi, everyone! My name is Onyx Brunner and I’m a second-year law student at Columbia Law School. Financial aid delays have put me behind on my bills, and I need your help.

Last semester, my school took more than two months to release my financial aid package, leaving me without my primary source of income for more than half of the term. This was a huge setback: it is not easy to recover from two months without income, and I am still behind. To make matters worse, my grant aid will be cut in half next year.

I anticipate my financial aid challenges will continue into the new semester and I am looking for ways to get back on course. I am asking for your help in raising $60,000 to assist with my costs, alleviate some debt, and stay on track to graduate. Small donations and sharing this fundraiser with your networks can go a long way. Your contribution will help me with rent, food, and other academic and professional essentials. I am immensely grateful for your support.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a lawyer. As a first-generation college graduate and low-income student, I didn’t know any lawyers growing up, and I didn’t really know how I was going to do it. In 2024, I followed my dream and enrolled at Columbia in New York City. After four years supporting my family in Chicago, I was not in best condition to go back to school. I knew law school would not be cheap, but I hadn’t anticipated how difficult it would be to balance life in NYC with attending the most expensive law school in the country. Columbia Law School costs more than $125,000 per year.

I am not asking you to foot the bill entirely. I am humbly requesting that you take a chance on me so I can become the first lawyer in my family and continue my advocacy for underserved communities. I understand that to whom much is given, much is expected. I really struggle asking for help and I can’t do so without uplifting others along the way. I know how difficult it is for low-income students to fully participate in student life and reach our full academic potential. I worked my way through college, I work a bit now, and I am continuing to apply for outside scholarships, but it is not enough. With the increasing cost of living, my working-class family cannot contribute as much as they would like to my education.

I look forward to paying your generosity forward. On campus and beyond, I am committed to making the legal industry and higher education more accessible for everyone. Students everywhere are in uncertain times in light of recent political changes. Cuts to federal student loans are making higher education more expensive and inaccessible for poor students, and it is only going to get worse. It’s clear that colleges and universities are woefully underprepared to face the increased need in the coming years. To combat this, I look forward to contributing a part of my weekly earnings next summer to students impacted by federal financial aid cuts. In the meantime, I will work on developing sustainable resources to support other students.

Back at school, I am putting my experience to use to help communities around New York City. This year, I am exploring criminal law so folks who cannot afford a private attorney still have access to top-notch defense counsel. Last semester, I supported defendants in federal court through an unpaid externship with the federal public defender. Next semester, I look forward to developing new skills in state court as part of the Columbia Law School Criminal Defense Clinic.

On campus, I joined classmates in restarting the Tenants' Rights Project (TRP), where we work to keep our Harlem neighbors in safe, affordable housing. I am also Student Body Treasurer. In this role, I campaign for ways to make Columbia Law School more affordable and accessible for everyone, regardless of their financial condition. Your contribution will allow me to stay fully involved in student life.

Every dollar raised above my goal will be shared with another student. When I am back on my feet, I hope you’ll join me in kickstarting another student’s success story. Thank you for your consideration!