Single Mom getting her PhD

Hi, my son was diagnosed with autism when he was 3. I've spent the past 12 years learning about what that means. Though I've had to raise him by myself since his diagnosis, he's now excelling. He's in all honors classes and was just in his first play. Now it's time that I take what I've learned and apply it to research. To help those kids who have physical symptoms associated with autism, like epilepsy, ID, proprioception, etc.

It was hard to convince a university last year to accept me to a PhD program, but Case Western Reserve offered me a one-year bridge program to get the experience I needed. It meant moving from Nashville to Cleveland. And taking out a loan.

One year later, I've been accepted to University of Virginia's neuroscience

PhD program! But that means moving again, and they have a school policy to not assist in relocation fees for students. The rent-controlled 2-bedrooms in Charlottesville are over 1300/month. I have it budgeted once I'm there, but I don't know how I'm going to pay for the move and deposit and missing a paycheck during the transition. I've been turned down for loans because I just took one out. I really don't know what to do.

At University of Virginia, I plan on studying how the immune system shapes the brain during development. I know that if I'm given the support I need, I can make a big difference. I can't express how grateful I am (and slightly embarrassed) that you read all of this. Please, I'm counting on your generosity to get me there.