In the beginning of August, me and my mom started talking about the fall semester of college and how to pay for it. We looked at the cost and my mom was worried because it was over $8,000. I told her that the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) would cover the costs associated with college, but not everything.

Then we drove to the college and we spoke with one of the representatives at the financial aid office. She told us “The financial aid would not cover everything”. My mom then asked “How am I supposed to pay it” and the lady said “I don’t know.” When I got home that day, my mom and I had a talk about what to do and we decided to take out loans.  The problem about that is I won’t be able to work on my career because I have to find a job ASAP and work for who knows how long to pay off the loans.  My career will be on hold for weeks, months, or even years.

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 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.

My dad takes care of the FAFSA for financial aid. He takes out the Parent-Plus Loan, as well. So, it’s all just basically financial aid and loans.  My dad lost his job when I was in high school and he was still paying off my older sister’s undergrad. And I have a twin, so they’re paying college tuition for three people at this point.

When he lost his job, it (the expenses) fell onto my mom. It was hard to figure out where I wanted to go because I couldn’t afford to go to a private school. Now my dad’s a real estate agent and my mom still has her job. If it wasn’t for loans, I wouldn’t be able to go to college. My car was bought with a loan, too. My car was paid for through a loan that my mom is still working off. My car was $20,000 and I was wondering, “Mom, why did you let me buy this?” But, she’s already paid off half of it. I love my mom, she works so hard. I pay for my own gas and I have a job. My rent and bills are paid through the loans because you can put off-campus housing on it. I can’t afford luxury items, though. Like, I need a new laptop, but I can’t buy one. I’ve had to be smart and budget.

I pay for my tuition entirely out of pocket with no financial support from my family. I was forced to drop out of my four year public college because my family fell on hard financial times and TAP didn’t cover enough of my outstanding tuition costs. I worked for four years in order to afford to send myself back to school.

Even now, I am constantly at risk of having to leave school again because of financial reasons. I’ve had to choose between buying textbooks and buying groceries, and I’ve frequently gone hungry in order to make timely payments towards my education. Because of my independent status and other factors, I don’t qualify for any financial aid, state or federal. I will be transferring to a four year public college next semester, but without financial assistance from the state, my future at that school is uncertain.

I am a resident of Brooklyn, NY and go to the Pratt Institute of Art and Design. My family is unable to afford higher education by itself. Pratt has one of the highest college tuition rates and although it is a private school its students do get help from special programs such as the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). Without this program, it would be impossible for me and for many other people to afford higher education. Currently I have two part time jobs, which interfere with my schooling.

I am also worried about my future financially when I get out of college. It is hard to focus on schoolwork when finances are an issue, and it is especially hard knowing your parents back home are struggling to secure a future for their child.  Funding for education is funding for the future, and I don’t think any person should have to struggle and worry about their future. I do not want others to worry and struggle like my family does.  If New York does not fund higher education, they are endangering the future for everyone. Education should be given to anyone who has the desire to learn, regardless of their ability to pay.   Please, set an example for the rest of the country and the world by funding higher education.

Part of my tuition is covered through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and the rest of my costs are paid out of pocket. This includes textbooks, transportation and additional online fees to access homework assignments for certain courses. I’m a 25 year old mother of a 1 year old son. Gratefully, I managed to find a job on campus, through the COPE program (now called CUNY EDGE, Educate, Develop, Graduate, and Empower) which also pays for his daycare. This allows me to maintain some financial stability for my growing family.

Just like many other students, I cannot afford to pay for all of these costs. Last semester, before I was enrolled in EDGE, I had trouble registering for classes because I had a hold on my account from the Bursar’s office. The balance was $1,050 and I hadn’t gotten any notification that my financial aid wasn’t covering my full tuition. I was required to pay the entire balance before the first day of class. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place! I had to find a way to be able to pay this full amount in such a short amount of time. Eventually I had to ask my family, who were experiencing their own financial burdens. The stress had become overwhelming and it was very hard to stay focused during finals week! I needed help and there was no one to help me. Luckily, now I have a job through the EDGE program which allows me to pay for my tuition, and all other expenses.