![]() ![]() So, please understand that it takes a lot to stay in college these days.Īs the country continues to talk about how to support higher education and whether college is worth it, students like me hope people will recognize the value of investing in us. Change can happen suddenly and at any time, as it did for me. I have worked two jobs at once during grad school to pay the bills.įor students or those who are about to become students, my advice is to start saving early.įor everyone else, when you see us cross the stage, pick up our diplomas and hug our families, just know some of us are saluting people like my dad who cannot be a part of the celebration. My family supports my educational goals wholeheartedly, but the fact is college finances are complicated. I am the first in my family to go four years straight to a bachelor’s degree and on to grad school. The problem for me and so many other students is, while we’re figuring out school and finances, most of us are holding down jobs. Maybe I could take a guilt-free trip to buy myself lunch. I could buy textbooks and not have to worry about how another expense would be paid. With a steady job, I would have been intentional about saving, which would mean one less burden while in grad school. I would have worked longer after graduating with my bachelor’s degree to build some savings for graduate school. If it were possible to go back in time two years, I would make a few adjustments to my educational experience. I’m known to sacrifice when it comes to saving - skipping lunch outings, shopping at thrift stores and finding ways to have fun at home for free. He also told me to set aside cash just for emergencies. For example, with my first debit card, he taught me to always keep a minimum of $100 available. Still, I’ve had a chance to learn from my dad’s frugal practices. But the opportunity isn’t cheap: By the time I graduate next spring, my student loan balance could buy a 2021 Mercedes Benz CLA - a dream car for some, an unimaginable desire for me. I am polishing my skills as a writer and learning how to think critically about digital media. Today, I am a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in writing and digital communication at Agnes Scott College near Atlanta. ![]() Without my dad’s help, I relied on loans even more.Īfter graduating from West Georgia, I decided to continue my education in hopes of developing better career opportunities. At 20 years old, I was left wondering how I was going to pay for school. ![]() ![]() Then during my junior year, my father passed away at 51 years old from pulmonary fibrosis and things changed unbelievably. Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship, the Pell Grant and my parents’ savings helped with most expenses. I majored in mass communications and worked as an orientation leader for incoming students during the summer. I had a good undergraduate experience at the University of West Georgia, about 50 miles outside of Atlanta. Still, many people, like myself, are continuing their education while facing a wave of debt. And Clark Atlanta University eliminated student balances to help support them during this public health nightmare. Wilberforce University wiped away all student debt for the classes of 20. For example, Trinity Washington University paid off the balances owed by about 400 undergraduates. There has been good news lately about tuition relief. Many of us will face a larger issue: figuring out how to pay for our higher education. Opinions are the writer’s own and not those of Blavity's.Īs students return to campus this fall, we’re not only thinking about our classes and the continuing pandemic. If you’re interested in sharing your opinion on any cultural, political or personal topic, create an account here and check out our how-to post to learn more. ![]()
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