For this year, my family and I paid about $1,684 out of pocket and the rest was covered by loans which are about $20,000-$21,000 for the 2016-2017 school year.  I haven’t gotten much financial aid so I’ve had to take out private loans to cover the rest.  My parents cover the cost of textbooks and my grandpa sends me $100 each month to help with transit and food.  After I graduate I’ll probably be in debt for many years, sadly.

I don’t have a job because I wanted to adjust to college for my freshman year.  But some people have to balance a job and classes. I feel sorry for their mental health because they seem to struggle at times.  Getting a college degree, to me, is such a huge accomplishment. I think it’s important to be able to further your education beyond high school.  I’m currently undecided, but I’m looking forward to finding a major that fits me perfectly and having a career that I’ll enjoy.  The financial burden of college is constantly on my mind. It’s going to be a huge financial burden for me for years and years, and with an uncertain job market in the future, who knows what will happen.