I am a senior economics major heading towards graduation, and am pleased with the opportunities and experiences I’ve had during my four years at SUNY Cortland. I’ve made friends for the rest of my life. While I have had this positive experience, I also took on on multiple student loans. My family felt the financial burden of increased tuition and related expenses as they put both my sister and myself through college.

The value of a higher education is important to me and my family, so I resorted to a handful of student loans to cover a portion of my tuition and textbooks. Aside the student loan debt that I’ve taken on, I also work part-time during the semesters to cover living expenses and the rest of my tuition. On top of working, I have a maxed-out course load, I participate in intramural sports, and have an internship on-campus. My schedule is busy, and worrying about how to afford the rising costs of SUNY Cortland’s tuition and costs has no place in it.

I was born and raised in New York City where I have seen violence firsthand as a teen, and soon figured out that higher education was my ticket to success. During my senior year in high school, my mother was laid-off from her job and my hopes for affording a college degree became a bit dimmer. I chose to attend Tompkins County Community College because of its affordability, and then transferred to SUNY Cortland. The financial aid package I receive for SUNY Cortland covers a majority of tuition.  However the additional costs force me to work two jobs, one at a local grocery store and the other as a tour guide on-campus. The additional costs such as transportation, housing and food would have to be satisfied by my long working days, and two separate student loans.  I accept little financial help from my parents to lessen the burden on their shoulders.

I am a psychology major and will be a first-generation graduate in my family. My post-graduation goal is to start a non-profit organization in New York City dedicated to adolescent outreach and empowerment. I believe that if you’re lucky enough to be in college, you should never take it for granted and make use of the opportunity. I am from a troubled area and would like to incite a college culture within youth from my community, and enlighten them to the opportunities that set me on a path to success.

As a senior in high school, I did not think college would ever be in my grasp. Most of my family did not go to college so I thought I would not either. I was unsure how I would pay for my higher education.  Thankfully, my high school had a terrific career program that provided the necessary tools to make my college dreams a possibility.  I applied to SUNY Cortland through their Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and was admitted. I am grateful to have come across this program. They helped me prepare for college socially and economically, as well as help me prepare in terms of academics.  I receive financial aid in order to help pay for school, however a majority of the additional costs are placed on my shoulders. Aside for paying for tuition, I front the cost of other expenses such as food, social activities, toiletries, textbooks and other school supplies. The list can go on forever, As an off-campus resident, I must also pay rent. I am taking eighteen credits and also working two jobs to help me with the cost of living.

I am studying sociology and professional writing and planning on attending graduate school. I am an aspiring counselor and believe that the investment for a postgraduate degree will increase my chances of employment, and ultimately allow me to pay off loans more efficiently.