College to say the least builds character. It gives you tough skin. The most memorable years of your life, making the most out of your experience. Now you are stuck here dazed and confused because you didn’t read the fine print, filing for financial aid, student debt, and not having the facilities to qualify was not in the student manual. Distressed with thoughts drowning you mentally “Why must it all be confusing?” “ Why couldn’t there be a “How to Survive College” document.” How we all wished there was an easier way, but I guess this builds character and “sets us up” for the real world. But there is a way out, a way to gain something in return. FAFSA is an organization designed by the government to give financial aid to students in low-income families. A step in the right direction if not used wisely, though it is a blessing to most, what about those left behind? Is it not enough?
Countless articles have been written on this very topic, the ones that stand out are The New York Times articles “Thousands of Students Missing Out on College Grants, Study Finds” by Ann Carnns and “As California State Tuition Rises, Financial Aid Offices Struggle to Adjust” by Jennifer Gollan. Carnns speaks on the impact in which COVID had on students. The percentage of students who were eligible but did not claim was an astonishing amount. While Gollan uses the experiences of students who live in fear of their futures going to waste. A great way of showing pathos for both articles. But also Carrns executes with the use of logos showing statistics in the amount of money one could receive, the type of help they could receive. As we see the author gravitating towards the struggles of others, letting the reader empathize, financial aid isn’t enough to get through the years comfortably, having to take out loans they so desperately tried to avoid.
Not everyone is fortunate with the chance to gain the advantages, and ability to qualify for aid, therefore they are left with dealing with the burden of paying a hefty sum of money. In other words they simply aren’t aware of the steps needed, or they are simply first generation and are scared to reach out for help. This is something I faced, having to do this alone. In Carrns’ article she comes to inform us through her findings that “ low-income and first-generation students were far more likely to report difficulty filling out the form, and in getting help gathering tax documents and other necessary information. Students often don’t fill out the form because they think they won’t qualify for aid, said Brett Schraeder.” Normalizing help should always be the first step, a safe environment must be needed.
But not many people seem to take this to their advantage, to try to see if they could gain anything from the help that’s being offered. Nonetheless I am one of the few, I’m lucky enough to even have qualified for aid, let alone have it cover full tuition for this year and my following two semesters of my sophomore year. However I’m not too sure if this is a long term thing. The pandemic took hold of my family, hindering my father’s ability to continue working, stopping his job for months on end, leading him into financial struggle. It truly was a blessing in disguise, I would not wish this upon anyone but it definitely had its bright side. Having said that this may not be the case for all; I’m fortunate enough to have one less problem piled up, but once these 2 years are up I’m not entirely sure where I’m left. Struggles like these aren’t infrequent, as Gollan had gathered through her findings back in 2011 “roughly three-quarters of undergraduates applied for financial aid this year, up from two-thirds three years ago.” Financial problems have been a normalized issue, there is no shame in putting yourself first in having a brighter future.
Those who don’t have this “privilege” barely make the cut. Is society dictating whether we are in need of help or not? Although some come from a wealthier background that may not always be the case. Various students are left alone, in charge of these payments/tuition. Gollan interviewed Mr. Seman with his experience “ said he had already spent an emergency loan of $500 from the university on books and food. But faced with about $7,230 for tuition and fees this semester, roughly $1,000 more than the fall semester last year, he was back in line trying to get another loan.” It is not foreign to us that taking out loans can cause more harm than good. Towards the end of your college career you’re left with the burning burden of paying off hundreds if not more, with the non existent money you have. Forcing you to do copious amounts of work to pay the debt you’ve created for yourself. Hindering your ability to kick start your career, knowing the responsibility you have to give back every cent.
Let’s say there’s a bright chance to qualify for aid, well done. There also is the possibility it might not be enough. Here is where the challenge commences.Any plans of going to school out of state are now thrown out the window, stuck having to settle for a school here in New York. Now what? You are discouraged and have to change your course of action. Based on personal experience, I knew I wanted out but I could not do that to my parents, forcing them into paying large sums of money that I knew we didn’t have. One of the schools I had in mind was the University at Buffalo with tuition after aid costing me over $19,000 per semester. Money i dont have just lying around. Wasting my time paying back loans was not something I was heavily fond of. Gollan gets the opinion of Mr. Lopez who completely turned his life to fit his needs, learning he “raised nearly $25,000 from private donors. Also took an extra job over the summer and invited a roommate to move in last month, cutting his rent in half.” Now how is this considered living? If it isn’t rooming with someone, it is having to move back in with your parents, starting from zero. Frustration hits knowing you can not move forward.
Both articles coincide with each other, coming together showing the cause and effects of struggles in the world of “adulthood”. Showing the behind the scenes, aspects that the average person might not have to necessarily deal with. Stress is an understatement with the extremities that most have to go through in order to achieve a successful future. Carrns and Gollan, with their work, persuade the reader in showing what could happen with the effects of aid. Though Carrns work is more recent it doesn’t take away the fact that this issue is not something recent but in fact seen throughout years, the same cycle, but it has only worsened through time.
Something we could all relate to; the fear of wasting a portion of our lives to school we are no longer bound to. Copious amounts of stress at such a young age. Hindering our abilities to explore the real world and finding our “calling”. Paying back every month after month. Or having the fear of doing this alone and scared of the unknown. Though I’m lucky to have not had the burden of entering college whilst the pandemic was in action, I will say the consequences have not been fun. I find comfort in knowing that in the end everyone faces some sort of issue whether it’s missing out on aid, having to take out substantial amounts of aid, or feeling stressed at considering dropping everything. All this and for what, starting at the young age of 18, i’ve only just begun.
