A 22-year-old student’s raw and emotional appeal for help has drawn attention online after she revealed she is temporarily homeless on the eve of starting a new chapter in her education.
In a video shared on Instagram recently, Terrah — who posts under the handle @theoilkeyper — spoke candidly about her struggle to secure stable housing while preparing to begin school.
“I start school tomorrow, and I’m also temporarily homeless,” she said in the video. “I don’t have any help from my birth family.”
Terrah explained that she recently relocated from North Carolina to Texas with less than five dollars to her name, relying on faith, determination, and the generosity of strangers to survive along the way.
In the months leading up to her move, she said she cycled between hotel rooms when she could afford them, and at times slept in parks or on the streets.
Despite the instability, she has remained committed to continuing her education. She says federal student aid through FAFSA is helping to cover tuition through grants, and she is actively applying for scholarships. Housing, however, remains her most urgent challenge.
“What I need right now is stable housing,” she said. “An apartment or some kind of townhome so I won’t have to hotel hop anymore.”
After one of her videos gained several thousand views, Terrah launched a GoFundMe campaign, expressing hope that small donations — even one or two dollars — could collectively make the difference between continued homelessness and a safe place to live while she completes school.
She stated that financial contributions are not the only way to help.
“If you can’t donate, just sharing the video is more than enough,” she said. “Spreading awareness about my situation matters.”
Her story highlights a broader and often unseen crisis facing students across the United States: housing insecurity among young people pursuing higher education. According to national studies, millions of college students experience homelessness or unstable housing each year, a reality that can derail academic progress and mental health even as they strive for a better future.
For Terrah, the request is simple — not for luxury, but for stability.
“I thank anyone and everyone who comes across this,” she said. “Even just for taking the time to listen.”
As her appeal circulates online, supporters say her courage in speaking openly has already helped bring critical attention to student homelessness and the gaps that remain in social support systems for young adults.
