Facing eviction before graduation, MIT student cut off by family raises more than $85K in days

"The student, identified as Matthew N. to protect his privacy, is a senior studying physics who had spent months unable to fully register for classes due to unpaid balances, according to a GoFundMe campaign organized by fellow student Irene Dong. Dong said Matthew's parents cut off financial support after learning he is transgender. Because MIT calculates financial aid based on parental income, he did not qualify for institutional aid."

"In an email reviewed by The Advocate, MIT housing officials told him that "to remain in on-campus housing, you must be fully registered," and gave him seven days to vacate. The deadline was noon on Monday. Matthew continued attending classes and completing coursework since losing financial support, maintaining what organizers described as a 4.7 GPA on MIT's 5.0 scale."

"As the deadline approached, classmates launched a GoFundMe campaign. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had raised $86,212 of its $81,100 goal in three days. In an update posted to the fundraiser, Matthew said he had secured temporary housing and was working to complete his graduation requirements."

Matthew N., an MIT senior physics student, was ordered to vacate campus housing with only seven days' notice despite maintaining a 4.7 GPA. His parents withdrew financial support after discovering he is transgender, and MIT denied his appeals for independent financial aid status despite documentation from medical professionals and LGBTQ+ organizations. Without full registration due to unpaid balances, he could not enroll in classes, receive grades, work campus jobs, or maintain health insurance. Fellow student Irene Dong organized a GoFundMe campaign that raised $86,212 in three days, exceeding its $81,100 goal. Matthew secured temporary housing and continued working toward graduation requirements.

Read at Advocate.com