As an Environmental Studies major, I’m happy to have the experience of pursuing my passion and learning about what I love. Paying for college is my biggest hassle. My parents “make too much” for me to be able to get financial aid so I’ve been forced to take out private and unsubsidized loans to pay my tuition. Because of the ridiculous interest rates of the private loans, I watch my balance increase every month. With each increase, I wonder how I will be able to pay these loans off and how long it will take me. As someone who wants to pursue a graduate degree, I also wonder if my current debt will affect my ability to do so and how I will pay for it. I had to take a semester off 2 years ago because of a hold on my account due to unpaid fees that I was not able to resolve in time.

Like many other students, I’ve had to get a job on campus to earn money to pay for tuition, textbooks, a monthly metrocard, buy food, and pay bills. Despite what FAFSA has determined about my family’s financial standing, depending on them to provide me with money for all these expenses is not possible, especially considering the fact that I’m one of two children currently in college. While I feel that learning to manage time is an important skill to have in college, I don’t believe that struggling to stay financially afloat is a struggle that college students should have to face. I hope to see a change in what is considered low-income and a greater and more comprehensive approach to helping students pay for education as it should be a right and not a privilege.