Photo credit: CashCat at www.savingmoneystrategies.com
It’s no secret that this country is in a lot of financial trouble. It’s that same financial trouble that is stressing out today’s college students the most. Before, the only thing a college student needed to worry about was what they were going to eat for dinner.
Today, the cost of everything has risen so high that college students are suffering. In fact, a poll of 50 West Virginia University students showed that 62 percent believe money to be their biggest source of stress in college.
One of today’s biggest financial stressors is paying for school. Students are faced with the decision of whether to get a job to pay for school or take out massive loans now and pay them back later. Either way, students are expected to come up with a huge amount of money in a very short amount of time.
“How is a college student expected to come up with $7,000 at once?” questioned sophomore Araka Swecker.
Unfortunately, accessing those large amounts of money is getting harder and harder due to scholarship capping and the increasing standards of state programs.
“As soon as I heard about Governor Manchin capping the PROMISE scholarship, I knew I was in trouble,” expressed sophomore Lindsey Dawson. “I barely get any state aid as it is!”
This is a conflict that many students at WVU are faced with. With programs like the PROMISE Scholarship being limited and student loans becoming harder to acquire, college students are in for a struggle. PROMISE has been the most popular scholarship program because for years it has paid a student’s entire tuition. Since the capping at $4,750 and next year’s increased tuition, it will no longer do so, resulting in more loans and debt.
Sadly, financial aid isn’t the only cost being inflated. After a short period of decrease in cost, gas prices are expected to make their way back up to $4 per gallon by this summer. Instead of driving, students are opting to ride the bus and/or the PRT. However, as most students are aware, neither of these modes of transportation is very reliable.
“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been late or missed class because the PRT was down or the bus was late,” expressed sophomore Ryan Durst.
As everyone knows, food prices are skyrocketing as well, especially when it comes to produce. This could be the reason why students stick to Ramen noodles and frozen pizzas.
“I remember my dad telling me how when he was in college he and his friends would scrounge up $3 in change just so they could order a large pizza,” says senior Derek Sinnett. “A large pizza today can run you up to $12, depending where it’s from.”
For those students who actually enjoy cooking, the cost of fresh ingredients can have one meal costing as much as one at a restaurant. “I love to cook, but I dread going to the grocery store because even if I only get the things I need I still end up spending at least $30,” adds senior Josh Durst. “When you don’t have $30 in the first place it becomes a bit of a problem.”
It’s not a secret that WVU is known for it’s avid partiers. However, if students don’t have money then they certainly can’t be spending it on their favorite pastime. And even if they do manage to get together some money for alcohol, it’s cheap beers like Natural Light that thrive. Students are looking for ways to lessen the cost of drinking.
“We only go out on Thursdays just because we get Golden Tickets for de Lazy Lizard,” says junior Tony DeVitis. “With those we can get in free and get free drinks until 11.”
College is about independence. It’s having your own apartment (or house), your own car, your own responsibilities, and your own life separate from that of your parents. Unfortunately, economic times are forcing students to again depend on their parents for financial stability.
“Sometimes I hate that I still get money from my parents,” says sophomore Brittany Aria. “As childish as it sounds, I just want to be a grown-up!”
