I am raising funds for my daughter, Katherine, a 25-year-old Vietnamese American student at USC. I brought Katherine to the United States after she was born because I wanted to give her the best possible educational and career opportunities. She has worked incredibly hard, transferred to USC with honors from Santa Monica College, and has always dreamed of graduating from a top university and building an independent life. Katherine is also a passionate advocate for women’s rights, and I am so proud of the thoughtful, outspoken person she has become.
While USC updated her financial package with additional gift aid, our family is facing a major financial gap. For the 2026–2027 academic year, her remaining tuition balance is $16,999.55 per semester (nearly $34,000 for the full year). On top of tuition, I am fully responsible for supporting her basic living expenses in Los Angeles, including her housing in Koreatown, essential vehicle lease payments, and auto insurance so she can commute safely to campus and work.
While USC initially provided over $30,000 in aid, their review of my fixed annuities drastically reduced our aid package. We formally appealed USC's decision, but the university has issued its final determination and will not adjust her award further. Withdrawing principal from those annuities to cover these tuition costs would trigger severe tax penalties, surrender charges, and serious long-term financial hardship.
We have exhausted our options with the school, so I am turning to our community for help so Katherine can stay enrolled at USC and complete the degree she has worked so hard for. Every donation will go directly toward paying her remaining tuition balance for the Fall and Spring semesters, with any additional funds strictly supporting her housing and living expenses.
Your support means everything to our family. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Katherine one step closer to staying in school and making her dream a reality. Thank you for reading, sharing, and helping us through this pivotal time.
