Help Me Attend My College Commencement Ceremony

Megan Burr Start Date: May 27, 2026 - End Date: Nov 2, 2026
  • Manchester, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Megan Burr Start Date: May 27, 2026 - End Date: Nov 2, 2026
For most of my life higher education did not feel accessible to me. I dropped out of high school as a teenager and spent many years focused on surviving and supporting myself. College was never something I imagined for my future, and my sole caregiver (who also did not graduate high school) never entertained the idea that I might be capable of it either. Eventually, I earned my GED at 26. Somehow, against all odds, I am now preparing to graduate with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University!

When I first started university I honestly had no plans to attend commencement. I told myself that finishing the degree would be enough, I could watch the virtual commencement at home in my pajamas and call it a day. But the harder I worked and the closer I got to graduation, the more important this milestone became to me.

I have never participated in a graduation ceremony before. As a first-generation college graduate/high school drop out, this would be the first time I ever walk across a stage to celebrate an academic achievement. After everything I had to overcome to get here, I truly feel like I owe this to myself. I have never really had people cheering me on in moments like this before. The idea of being in a room full of graduates celebrating one another feels deeply emotional and meaningful to me in a way that’s hard to put into words. I just know it would be such a cathartic and important experience. 

Unfortunately, I do not have parents or family members who are able to help fund this experience or attend to support me. I have built this life largely on my own. I have paid for 90 credits of my education on my own out of pocket without taking loans, and I have worked full time to support myself while attending my classes full time. While I am INCREDIBLY proud of how far I’ve come, the cost of travel, lodging, and my graduation regalia is more than I can comfortably afford right now.

I am raising funds to help cover:

Travel expenses to commencement (I live in Michigan, my university and commencement is located in New Hampshire)
Lodging accommodations
Cap, gown, and graduation regalia
Any support — whether through donating or simply sharing this fundraiser — would mean more to me than I can adequately express. Thank you so much for helping me celebrate a milestone that once felt impossible! <3
  • Manchester, United States of America