Late nights studying - or at least sometimes. Activities, committees,
clubs, sports, a social life, and school. All of this plus food and sleep
- which is also rare - is part of a typical college student's life. So
when do we breathe? Never. Ok, not never, but it is sparatic. It is even
more spairingly if we have a financial concern on our mind too, to go
along with all the homework, meetings, and practices.
Most students do not have the time to have a part- time job once they are
at the collegiate level. So how are they paying for school? Well some are
on scholarships, some have their parents or other family memebers helping,
but most students these days rely on some form of financial aid, whether
it is for their entire bill or just a portion.
I myself rely on financial aid to help me pay for my schooling. I come
from a single parent household and I am trying to do my best for my mom
right now because she went through college taking care of me on her own. I
know that all parents want their kids to be better off than they were, so
so far we have accomplished that, but I do not beleive my mom should have
to pay every cent of my tuition and costs for school. Nor does she have
that capability.
Now I know that many people take out loans and then think "OK, no more
stress over that." But then what do you think will happen down the road
when you have much greater decisions to make than what meal plan to be on
this year? Soon we will have families, mortgages, and other expenses that
come with adulthood. I know many people in college STILL don't have to pay
for their car insurance or their phone bill. Well I do, and I believe that
it is going to help me so much more to be prepared now instead of being
stranded "without a paddle" later.
The financial aid office here at USI is almost always full of visitors.
The only reaosn it may not be would be if it were closed. Otherwise there
are students in there day in and day out that really truly need their
help. I don't know about other's experiences, but mine have all been
extremely stressful and unhelpful. I know they obviously have a lot on
their hands with people coming and going constantly, but a little smile
and compassion can go a long way people.
Hopefully as the school year continues the ways of the financial aid
office will be more efficient, but for now can we at least try to be
considerate of the students and their families that come in seeking help
from you? It isn't much to ask. I mean after all, no matter how it gets
paid for, all we physically receive is a piece of paper. That is worth
$.10. But the knowledge that we gain at this institution and the careeers
we may embark on after we walk across that stage and receieve that piece
of paper, that is priceless.