Help Stephen finish his education
Donation protected
WHO I AM
______________
My name is Stephen and I live in Manchester in the UK. I am appealing for support so I can complete my education after being selected to study my Masters at The Berklee College of Music in Valencia in Spain, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world.
Although I have received a $12,000 scholarship towards my tuition, the remaining cost of tuition and accommodation is too high for me to cover by myself.
I have no parental or family support to call upon, and my journey into gaining funding unfortunately starts and ends with me alone, all my attempts at securing finance thus far have hit dead ends, and just recently my final hope of funding has fallen through, effectively forcing me to launch a GoFundMe as a last resort.
I have until September 30th before I am due to land in Spain and start my masters.
If I cannot raise the first milestone needed of £10,582 or secure funding I will lose my place and be withdrawn from the course. Time is unfortunately running out.
WHAT DO I NEED?
______________________
I am looking for support in raising the finances needed to pay for the tuition and accommodation for the period September 30th 2021 – July 17th 2022.
Tuition: £24,047 (this is after $12,000 scholarship deducted)
Housing: £7,700 (46 weeks all-inclusive student accommodation at Collegiate Marina Real for 10 months)
The above costs are at present what I need in full for the year, but I am aware that this can be reduced substantially by any grant / loan / accommodation offers I receive. This is where advice from you is important.
I will also be working part time whilst in Valencia to offset the cost, Berklee advise not to work as it can affect the study, but I have no other option.
To soften the blow of what is needed, I have divided the total into 3 ‘milestones’ of £10,582.
Each milestone will get me a third of the way through the journey, with the accommodation and tuition secured.
Milestone 1: £10,582 – I have to raise by September 30th
Milestone 2: £10,582 – I have to raise by January 7th
Milestone 3: £10,582 – I have to raise by May 11th
WHAT I’VE TRIED
______________________
Asking for support via GoFundMe is a last resort for me, and anyone who knows me personally will understand how hard I have tried to secure funding, but I have been hit with the following issues:
I am a UK national, studying at an American College, attending a campus based in Spain. This has unfortunately made me ineligible for the following options:
• US federal aid: I do qualify for needs-based financial need, but I cannot apply as graduate / masters study is ineligible.
• US private loans: I cannot apply for these as I need a US based co-signer.
• UK student loans: UK institutions only
• UK private loans: Only for UK based residents.
• Spanish private Loans: Only for Spanish residents
• Spanish Student Loans: Only for public universities.
• Scholarships & external funding: the majority of these are for US based citizens, and funding from the UK cannot be used to finance education in another country, or education as a whole.
I’ve exhausted all possibilities thus far, and I must accept that I can only do so much by myself, so I’m asking for your help.
CURRENT FUNDS
______________________
At present my funding has come from personal savings (currently around £1,500), contributions from friends, working 50+ hours a week across two jobs, and selling my record collection (that’s been heart breaking on multiple occasions) this has enabled me to pay for the $150 application, and the $2500 deposit, but without external help I feel my dream is quickly vanishing out of sight. I am still unable to secure accommodation or pay the first tuition instalments.
I’ve only recently started back into work since lockdown lifted in April, and for the entire pandemic received no furlough and had to survive on state benefits, selling equipment and possessions just to keep afloat.
I live alone, and spent Christmas and my Birthday in solitude due to lockdown, and had 5 face to face social interactions in 14 months.
Despite my mental health taking a beating, I refused to give up on this dream, opportunities like this are once in a lifetime and the one positive light keeping me going throughout the pandemic was music and the hope of completing my education at the end of it all.
MY BACKGROUND I
_______________________
These chapters are highly personal (and highly abridged) overviews hopefully giving you an insight into my trajectory and why this opportunity is important to me. If you know me personally, or were around at the time, you'll be able to fill in the gaps.
Ok deep breath.
I am the oldest of 4 children to parents that never truly wanted us. Life was unstable, and violent. We were neglected, poorly educated, emotionally and physically abused.
Despite my home life being far from encouraging, I did show early musical interest. As a child I would climb onto my bedroom window in my pyjamas and sing to the birds, and as I got older, I would play the radio when I was left home alone, writing out song lyrics.
I studied music at school on the recommendation of a teacher, also attending the choir, but the instability at home halted any academic achievement.
At 12 my parents split, ending my childhood, which placed me on a path of foster homes and petty delinquency.
After an extremely violent encounter at 15, I was temporarily fostered by my step grandparents, who became the parental unit and gave me the structure and care I needed to actually finish school, gaining 1 GCSE at C, which was no easy task.
By the age of 17 I had moved 11 times and left my Grandparents to go into supported housing for the homeless.
MY BACKGROUND II
_______________________
Music saved me.
After leaving school I developed a passion for electronic music, and after accepting my sexuality (as if life could not be any more complicated) I discovered I could sing by listening to gay role models such as Freddie Mercury and George Michael. George in particular became a ‘mentor’ giving me the voice (literally) and a strength that I could use my gift to rise above discrimination and be noticed.
Whilst transitioning from supported housing, a support worker spotted my musical ability and put me in touch with The Princes Trust who awarded me a grant for turntables (the audition consisted of music I had created via a PlayStation, with a sampler purchased from winnings from a karaoke competition) and with support from Barnardos leaving care service I was encouraged to apply to Access to Music college in Lincoln.
I gained a place and almost instantly quit. I was 20 years old, the first of my family to ever go to college, with no musical training, intimidated by people with far more talent and experience.
Despite having social, financial and educational disadvantage, I persisted and was shocked that my first assignment was a distinction, as was the next.
Over the next 7 years I had gone from having zero experience to winning ‘Student of The Year’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement’ awards, gaining media and top level DJ support for my music, and moving onto university in Manchester to graduate First Class with Honours.
Accepting ‘Student of the Year’ from the legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin in 2004. Yes I am that small.
MY BACKGROUND III
_______________________
After graduation, my dissertation resulted in an offer of an internship with Ministry of Sound in London, but due to a lack of funding and support, I could not take the place, so I found myself staying on in Manchester alone working in retail whilst plugging on my music in the background, in the hopes I could save up to take the internship at a later date.
I could say a lot about what the next 5 years of retail did to me emotionally and physically, but a picture is worth a thousand words.
I was not ok.
I was clearly on the wrong timeline, my spirit was destroyed, and a month after that photo was taken my Grandfather sadly passed, a loss which pushed me into a spiralling depression.
My physical, musical and family identity were slipping out of view.
Music saved me. Again.
Under immense mental pressure, and continued workplace toxicity I took the plunge to start DJ’ing live again after 7 years and this resulted in coming 3rd place out of 350 DJs worldwide in an international DJ contest ran by GQ and Fame Music, and a remix I produced of Madonna was featured at the VIP closing parties of her world tour.
My potential was still alive.
MY BACKGROUND IV
_______________________
Fast forward 5 years, and I quit the retail job, slowly rebuilt my physical and mental strength, and focused on my music, self-releasing various mixes and projects and launching my own podcast. This gave me confidence to get back on the right path, fulfil my dream of finally completing my masters, and reach my full potential.
Here is part of my audition video to Berklee during lockdown:
As you can imagine, the opportunity ahead of me is the very definition of life changing.
If I can achieve my goal I will travel on a plane for the first time in my life, to experience another country, after being accepted at one of the greatest music schools in the world, finally completing my education at the age of 40, 20 years after I first started my journey in 2002.
I hope to correct my timeline, and inspire others from backgrounds like mine that you can achieve your goals, no matter your age or where you come from.
If music saved me, I would like to be part of that industry that can save others.
I truly believe my story is not over yet, and I hope you can help me write the next chapter…
HOW YOU CAN HELP
________________________
If you’ve made it this far, I want to thank you for reading my appeal and if you believe my cause is worth supporting you can help me by:
Donating (to directly help with the costs)
Sharing my story (to raise awareness)
Send me a message of support or advice (it’s nice to get a hand on the shoulder once in a while)
I will be providing regular updates on my journey, wish me luck!
Steve
______________
My name is Stephen and I live in Manchester in the UK. I am appealing for support so I can complete my education after being selected to study my Masters at The Berklee College of Music in Valencia in Spain, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world.
Although I have received a $12,000 scholarship towards my tuition, the remaining cost of tuition and accommodation is too high for me to cover by myself.
I have no parental or family support to call upon, and my journey into gaining funding unfortunately starts and ends with me alone, all my attempts at securing finance thus far have hit dead ends, and just recently my final hope of funding has fallen through, effectively forcing me to launch a GoFundMe as a last resort.
I have until September 30th before I am due to land in Spain and start my masters.
If I cannot raise the first milestone needed of £10,582 or secure funding I will lose my place and be withdrawn from the course. Time is unfortunately running out.
WHAT DO I NEED?
______________________
I am looking for support in raising the finances needed to pay for the tuition and accommodation for the period September 30th 2021 – July 17th 2022.
Tuition: £24,047 (this is after $12,000 scholarship deducted)
Housing: £7,700 (46 weeks all-inclusive student accommodation at Collegiate Marina Real for 10 months)
The above costs are at present what I need in full for the year, but I am aware that this can be reduced substantially by any grant / loan / accommodation offers I receive. This is where advice from you is important.
I will also be working part time whilst in Valencia to offset the cost, Berklee advise not to work as it can affect the study, but I have no other option.
To soften the blow of what is needed, I have divided the total into 3 ‘milestones’ of £10,582.
Each milestone will get me a third of the way through the journey, with the accommodation and tuition secured.
Milestone 1: £10,582 – I have to raise by September 30th
Milestone 2: £10,582 – I have to raise by January 7th
Milestone 3: £10,582 – I have to raise by May 11th
WHAT I’VE TRIED
______________________
Asking for support via GoFundMe is a last resort for me, and anyone who knows me personally will understand how hard I have tried to secure funding, but I have been hit with the following issues:
I am a UK national, studying at an American College, attending a campus based in Spain. This has unfortunately made me ineligible for the following options:
• US federal aid: I do qualify for needs-based financial need, but I cannot apply as graduate / masters study is ineligible.
• US private loans: I cannot apply for these as I need a US based co-signer.
• UK student loans: UK institutions only
• UK private loans: Only for UK based residents.
• Spanish private Loans: Only for Spanish residents
• Spanish Student Loans: Only for public universities.
• Scholarships & external funding: the majority of these are for US based citizens, and funding from the UK cannot be used to finance education in another country, or education as a whole.
I’ve exhausted all possibilities thus far, and I must accept that I can only do so much by myself, so I’m asking for your help.
CURRENT FUNDS
______________________
At present my funding has come from personal savings (currently around £1,500), contributions from friends, working 50+ hours a week across two jobs, and selling my record collection (that’s been heart breaking on multiple occasions) this has enabled me to pay for the $150 application, and the $2500 deposit, but without external help I feel my dream is quickly vanishing out of sight. I am still unable to secure accommodation or pay the first tuition instalments.
I’ve only recently started back into work since lockdown lifted in April, and for the entire pandemic received no furlough and had to survive on state benefits, selling equipment and possessions just to keep afloat.
I live alone, and spent Christmas and my Birthday in solitude due to lockdown, and had 5 face to face social interactions in 14 months.
Despite my mental health taking a beating, I refused to give up on this dream, opportunities like this are once in a lifetime and the one positive light keeping me going throughout the pandemic was music and the hope of completing my education at the end of it all.
MY BACKGROUND I
_______________________
These chapters are highly personal (and highly abridged) overviews hopefully giving you an insight into my trajectory and why this opportunity is important to me. If you know me personally, or were around at the time, you'll be able to fill in the gaps.
Ok deep breath.
I am the oldest of 4 children to parents that never truly wanted us. Life was unstable, and violent. We were neglected, poorly educated, emotionally and physically abused.
Despite my home life being far from encouraging, I did show early musical interest. As a child I would climb onto my bedroom window in my pyjamas and sing to the birds, and as I got older, I would play the radio when I was left home alone, writing out song lyrics.
I studied music at school on the recommendation of a teacher, also attending the choir, but the instability at home halted any academic achievement.
At 12 my parents split, ending my childhood, which placed me on a path of foster homes and petty delinquency.
After an extremely violent encounter at 15, I was temporarily fostered by my step grandparents, who became the parental unit and gave me the structure and care I needed to actually finish school, gaining 1 GCSE at C, which was no easy task.
By the age of 17 I had moved 11 times and left my Grandparents to go into supported housing for the homeless.
MY BACKGROUND II
_______________________
Music saved me.
After leaving school I developed a passion for electronic music, and after accepting my sexuality (as if life could not be any more complicated) I discovered I could sing by listening to gay role models such as Freddie Mercury and George Michael. George in particular became a ‘mentor’ giving me the voice (literally) and a strength that I could use my gift to rise above discrimination and be noticed.
Whilst transitioning from supported housing, a support worker spotted my musical ability and put me in touch with The Princes Trust who awarded me a grant for turntables (the audition consisted of music I had created via a PlayStation, with a sampler purchased from winnings from a karaoke competition) and with support from Barnardos leaving care service I was encouraged to apply to Access to Music college in Lincoln.
I gained a place and almost instantly quit. I was 20 years old, the first of my family to ever go to college, with no musical training, intimidated by people with far more talent and experience.
Despite having social, financial and educational disadvantage, I persisted and was shocked that my first assignment was a distinction, as was the next.
Over the next 7 years I had gone from having zero experience to winning ‘Student of The Year’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement’ awards, gaining media and top level DJ support for my music, and moving onto university in Manchester to graduate First Class with Honours.
Accepting ‘Student of the Year’ from the legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin in 2004. Yes I am that small.MY BACKGROUND III
_______________________
After graduation, my dissertation resulted in an offer of an internship with Ministry of Sound in London, but due to a lack of funding and support, I could not take the place, so I found myself staying on in Manchester alone working in retail whilst plugging on my music in the background, in the hopes I could save up to take the internship at a later date.
I could say a lot about what the next 5 years of retail did to me emotionally and physically, but a picture is worth a thousand words.
I was not ok.
I was clearly on the wrong timeline, my spirit was destroyed, and a month after that photo was taken my Grandfather sadly passed, a loss which pushed me into a spiralling depression.
My physical, musical and family identity were slipping out of view.
Music saved me. Again.
Under immense mental pressure, and continued workplace toxicity I took the plunge to start DJ’ing live again after 7 years and this resulted in coming 3rd place out of 350 DJs worldwide in an international DJ contest ran by GQ and Fame Music, and a remix I produced of Madonna was featured at the VIP closing parties of her world tour.
My potential was still alive.
MY BACKGROUND IV
_______________________
Fast forward 5 years, and I quit the retail job, slowly rebuilt my physical and mental strength, and focused on my music, self-releasing various mixes and projects and launching my own podcast. This gave me confidence to get back on the right path, fulfil my dream of finally completing my masters, and reach my full potential.
Here is part of my audition video to Berklee during lockdown:
As you can imagine, the opportunity ahead of me is the very definition of life changing.
If I can achieve my goal I will travel on a plane for the first time in my life, to experience another country, after being accepted at one of the greatest music schools in the world, finally completing my education at the age of 40, 20 years after I first started my journey in 2002.
I hope to correct my timeline, and inspire others from backgrounds like mine that you can achieve your goals, no matter your age or where you come from.
If music saved me, I would like to be part of that industry that can save others.
I truly believe my story is not over yet, and I hope you can help me write the next chapter…
HOW YOU CAN HELP
________________________
If you’ve made it this far, I want to thank you for reading my appeal and if you believe my cause is worth supporting you can help me by:
Donating (to directly help with the costs)
Sharing my story (to raise awareness)
Send me a message of support or advice (it’s nice to get a hand on the shoulder once in a while)
I will be providing regular updates on my journey, wish me luck!
Steve
Organizer
Ste Callaghan
Organizer
England
