TDLR;

I’m working on my Computer Science degree at Fordham University, and a financial hold on my account is preventing me from registering for next semester. Without resolving this ASAP, I’ll be delayed by a full semester, which would impact my ability to graduate on time. Previously, the hold also threatened my GPA because it blocked me from withdrawing from a class I needed to drop. I’m seeking financial help to release the hold, allowing me to continue my studies uninterrupted and graduate on time.

What’s Being Asked Now:

I’ve successfully withdrawn from the class, so my GPA is no longer at risk. However, the financial hold still prevents me from registering for next semester, and the deadline to register is December 6th, Friday at 1 PM. I still need urgent help to pay off the balance and lift the hold to stay on track to graduate. Any contributions, no matter how small, will help me resolve this and keep moving forward.

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[12/4/24 - UPDATE]

First, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has shared this fundraiser on social media or donated so far. Your kindness has truly kept me feeling positive during this extremely stressful time. It means so much to me that anyone would even share this, but it blows my mind that you'd donate. I want to thank you all individually, so if you left your name I promise I wont be forgetting it.

I have some good news to share: I was able to successfully withdraw from the Computer Organization class despite the financial hold. This means it will no longer affect my GPA, which is a huge relief. However, the financial hold still remains and is now preventing me from registering for classes next semester.

The deadline to register is Friday at 1 PM, and if the hold isn’t lifted by then, I won’t be able to register, delaying my graduation by a full semester and making finances even harder. Even if I miss this deadline, I will still need to pay off this balance as soon as possible to explore other options, like summer school or early registration for Fall 2025.

I’m incredibly thankful not just to those who have donated, but also to everyone who has shared my story/fundraiser on their social media accounts. Every share helps spread the word to people I wouldn’t have been able to reach on my own, and that kind of support is invaluable to me.

The situation is still urgent, and I’m asking for your help to resolve this financial barrier and keep me on track to finish my degree. Any amount you can contribute, or even sharing this campaign with others, would make an enormous difference. I'm far from the finish line, but any amount raised helps at least bring me closer to resolving this issue.

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[12/2/24 - Original Post]

Howdy,

My name is Alyssa Victoria, and I’m in my senior year of earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science—a journey I’ve worked incredibly hard to pursue as I’m sure all of you know by now as it has been my entire personality the last five years of my life. I’m reaching out to y’all during a moment of urgency to overcome a financial roadblock that could significantly impact my academic future.

Due to unforeseen circumstances through a FAFSA application appeal process I was unable to finalize before the deadline, I currently have a financial hold on my student account that prevents me from registering for classes next semester (Spring 2025) and from dropping a class I believed I had successfully withdrawn from earlier this semester (Fall 2024). Without immediate resolution, I face receiving an F in the class I haven’t attended since October, which would harm my GPA and force me to pay again to retake it. If I can resolve the financial hold by Friday, December 6th, I can withdraw from the class with a W on my transcript and avoid long-term harm on my GPA. I will also be able to register on time for classes next semester, and continue on a path for graduation.

At this moment, I have the short term goal of improving my GPA so that I have the freedom to apply for grad schools in the future. The F on my transcript would completely jeopardize this goal and further delay my academic progress as I wouldn’t be able to register for classes next semester.

This situation stems from my decision to focus entirely on my studies in May of last year. I left my job to dedicate myself fully to my degree. It was a huge risk to do this since I have no other form of income other than student loans, but doing so has improved my ability to focus on my degree and improve my GPA to better position my future. I am now just months away from graduation.

Unfortunately, with my financial resources depleted, my recent application for a private loan was denied due to poor credit, leaving me with no immediate options other than to ask for help from the community.

I am humbly asking for your support to raise $13,742.09 to cover my financial hold and secure my ability to register for classes and graduate on time. This is the exact amount I owe for this semester (4 classes - Fall 2024 - see image at the bottom) in order to lift my financial hold, and will only be covering this Fall semester. Every dollar truly makes a difference, and I promise to provide the following:

This degree has been everything to me for the last several years and is my last ditch effort to building a better future for myself. I wouldn’t be making this request if I weren’t absolutely out of options.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can offer, even if it’s just sharing it online. I’m deeply grateful for any help whatsoever.

I LOVE YOU ALL,

Alyssa Victoria Peña