Donate to Support Niain at Lancaster Uni Leipzig

Hello! I’m Audrey, and I’m fundraising on behalf of Niain, my partner of 13 years, so he can complete his degree at Lancaster University Leipzig. In September 2022, Niain received an Unconditional offer, including the Lancaster Merit Scholarship, to study the 3-year BSc Hons Business Management degree at Lancaster University Leipzig. His tuition fees are covered in full by Chancen eG. He has been living in Leipzig since October 2022.

As a neurodivergent person (Autism Spectrum), Niain enjoys using his lived experience to help others and intends on establishing a community supporting artists from marginalised communities following graduation. Personal circumstances related to severe mental ill health and initial course choice meant that studying abroad was not possible when he was younger.

Although Niain now has his residence permit, he is still not eligible for funding from German student funding groups, with two rejected applications. He is not eligible for support from SAAS, despite appealing their decision. He cannot access the Lancaster Open Access Fund (LOAF), despite applying via the link on the LU Leipzig student resource area. He is also not eligible for many other EU-based student finance options. As Niain’s main support, both emotional and financial, I will be relocating to Leipzig as soon as I can. Unfortunately, this is taking much longer than initially anticipated due to financial difficulties and will be prolonged as my father has recently undergone major surgery to remove cancer, and will face subsequent radiotherapy beginning in July 2023. As a result, I will additionally be supporting my father and my family at this time.

Moving to Leipzig, Niain saw this as an opportunity to be his authentic self in a supportive and creative environment. It is an opportunity for him to reclaim his identity and realise his goals. However, the Merit Scholarship was later revealed as a fee reduction, not a monetary award, something which was not clarified in the initial offer letter. Niain flagged financial difficulty to LU Leipzig staff and in January 2023 received a loan of EUR3000 from Navitas, which paid for rent arrears following threat of contract cancellation by the property manager. The repayments will begin in February 2023 for 16 months. The property manager also gave us the wrong electricity meter number, resulting in us paying two electricity bills until the end of December 2022. There is no washing machine, and frequent laundry trips have depleted what funds we did have, with the remaining amounts going on food and hygiene. As Niain is over 30, he must pay private health insurance for EUR72 a month.

I kindly ask for your generosity, to ensure Niain can complete his degree, access medical care, and have a positive university experience. Every donation will be used to ensure he has a safe and comfortable home, and sustenance until I am able to join him. I am incredibly proud of everything he has overcome and hope to be reunited with him soon.