Hi ((: My name is Manu Lopes, I am a Brazilian international student currently in Chicago. This academic year, my parents started having severe financial problems, leading to them no longer being able to support my studies. In result to that, I tried all I could to get aid to stay at my current school with no success, despite academic excellence. That's when I decided to try my luck and apply to other schools, and among those, my dream school: Berklee College of Music. I got accepted! And as of now things are looking great in terms of financial aid, I'll be able to get the money necessary to attend and support myself at the same time, but, I can't apply my financial aid without being enrolled, and to be enrolled I need to pay a fee of a 1000 dollars. I asked for a fee waiver, but the school couldn't provide it to me, all they could do was give me a week extension past the deadline. The new deadline is May 7th (I know, right around the corner). As an international student, I can't work anywhere else but at my school, as I am already working the maximum amount of hours there's no way of me making more money than I already do. I also still have to pay for rent, food and the rest of my tuition of the current college; making it impossible for me to pay this fee by myself. Going to Berklee is the key for my future to be as bright as I worked so hard for it to be, being able to pay for this fee means me being able to continue pursuing my dreams, not only for me, but for my family and community in Brazil. All that said, if you can and feel in your heart, donate the amount that is possible for you, nothing is too little of a contribution. If you can't donate it's ok, I just ask you to please take a second of your day to share this go fund me in any way you'd like. Thank you for your time and attention, I hope you have a wonderful day!

With kindness,

Manu. <3