I am a full time marketing student living in Ozone Park. I am currently receiving SNAP and was able to secure an on-campus job through federal Human Resources. I would prefer to do the regular on-campus Work Study program to help pay for school but the waiting list is too long. The Single Stop center on campus was helpful in finding this employment connection. I was otherwise not aware that the government could help me.
I am currently supporting myself and two children and benefit tremendously from government assistance. My greatest expenses besides school textbooks and utility bills are my children’s clothes. They grow every few months.
I would like my representatives to keep these programs like workstudy, SNAP and HR work programs, which help keep me on my feet. Cutting any of it will only cut the workforce and lead to unemployment. That doesn’t make sense.
I used to work construction before deciding to go back to school. Although I had saved up some money before this transition, school tuition is not cheap at all, combined with rent. I soon had to move back in with my mother but that did not work out, so nowadays I stay with my sister and brother in law. I help out around the house and take care of my nieces, and I work part time but really all I can do is make enough money to pay some bills, and also pay a little rent money to my sister. I borrow money from my mother for school tuition, and the expensive books.
When I first went back to school in 2016, I was told it was too close to my last W2 where I made full time income from construction. So unfortunately, I did not qualify for financial aid. I may qualify this September but, even then, it won’t be enough to subsidize my total educational costs. It may alleviate a bit of the money I borrow from my mother.
I believe an individual such as myself would benefit from SNAP. It could help me afford food while not adding to my stress and financial burden overall.
I use financial aid to pay my tuition in college. I qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). However, the TAP award is too low. It should be more. I have to buy books, food, and pay for transportation costs and housing.
This semester, my textbooks cost almost $300 and my metrocard costs $120 per month. Because I am a full-time student in college, it is not possible to work. I hope I am going to graduate on time so that I do not run out of TAP money.
I am currently relying on my parents’ income to support me, but to be honest, a lower-middle class family supporting two children in college is hard. So I am forced to work in order to pay for school.
My schedule is so tight because I must work until 12 or 1 AM for a restaurant and still take a full-time course load to qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). I am also paying for my own textbooks. As a student who majoring in biology, textbooks are a major burden on my wallet. I am also paying for my own transportation.
I’m a student at Queensborough Community College. I work in a pet store as a full time employee. It’s hard for me to maintain my job and study, but I believe hard work will gift me a brighter future. I get a little help from the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and some monetary help from my mom. My mom said that she will soon stop helping me because she wants me to be self-sufficient. She does not make that much money and is also raising my half sister on her own.
I will be in a horrible situation if the tuition increases or if I get less financial aid. I wish to see an America that treats all of her children equally regardless of social status or economic level.
