owen’s financial aid for georgetown, covering the four year's cost of $77,000, was based on his parent's support, but despite appeals it wasn't changed. his biology teacher created a gofundme page to raise $20,000 for his first year's tuition; after his story went viral it reached $141,000. he made an appearance on "the ellen degeneres show" where she presented him with a gift donation of $25,000. owen’s appearance was nominated for a glaad media award for outstanding variety or talk show episode. in september 2018, at the annual human rights campaign dinner, former vice president and 2020 presidential candidate, joe biden, delivered a speech about owen who was in the audience. georgetown relented after the publicity, and adjusted owen's financial aid. they helped him with a scholarship allowing him to study at the walsh school of foreign service. as of march 2019 he characterizes his relationship with his birth family as very toxic.