Hello,

My name is Salwa (she/they pronouns) and I have been admitted to the Communications - PhD program at CU, Boulder for Fall 2021. (PFA screenshot of my admission letter)

Being Muslim, being Kokni, being raised by a single mother, and having zero to low-income have sometimes been hurdles in my academic journey and yet I made it through. It has been a long journey from when I had to fight to come to Pune (India) in 2011,  just to enroll in a junior college that had a decent humanities program for 12th standard. A decade later, I’m finally going to be in graduate school studying something that brings me so much joy. (You can read more about my academic journey here) I would be very grateful if you can help me reach there.

I have accepted the offer from CU Boulder and now I am preparing to leave. The department has offered me full funding, but I am finding problems with up front costs that need to be paid to get me there.

This is a very generous and helpful offer for my PhD. However, there are additional costs to be paid by me, out of pocket. Some of them will go to the university (PFA image) and some to my other costs (as outlined in the table).

 My first paycheck (which I won’t get until two weeks after I start the program) will not be able to cover these costs as I will have living costs to take care of. If I can fundraise USD 4320 (INR 320,231) I will be able to pay off my fees, my insurance, debts I have incurred due to the devastation of the second wave of C-19 and instead I can focus on my studies. Please contribute and amplify! :)

Particulars	Amount (INR)	Amount (USD)
Visa + SEVIS fees	37785	510
Travel and Stay for Visa appointment	15000	200
Round-trip ticket	111132	1500
Laptop	60000	810
Housing Deposit	74088	1000
Housing Necessities (Furniture, bedding, utensils, etc.)	37044	500
Student Costs (health insurance and student fees)	170403	2300
TOTAL	505,452	6820
Relocation bonus (given by CU)	- 185221	- 2500
Amount to be fundraised	3,20,231	4320

If you want a link to pay me through a payment method that is not available ON Milaap especially for donations from outside India (PayPal, etc.) you can check my Twitter/Instagram account @salwamuses 💜