Donations for Students!

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- There's nothing new to being a broke college student.  If you're a college student and not broke, you definitely do not fit in.

The budget crisis of California is not new.  We've been in debt for about 4 years now and maybe even before then.  The state has taken money away from schools and increase our tuition fees so the burden lays on us.  In the academic year 2009-2010, tuition increased to about $4000 a year.  Financial aid is a huge portion of how students are able to afford their housing, books, cell phone bills, and everything else.  Without financial aid, personally, I would be living out of my car and going to school.

According to IES-National Center for Education Statistics, for the year 2007-2008, 66% of all undergraduate students receive any kind of financial aid.  I know for most students, they rely on financial aid like a lifeline.

There have been times, I didn't know how my rent was going to get paid.  Thank God for financial aid.

There are different types of financial aid a student can get.  They can get loans, Cal grants, University grants, and Pell grants, are just a few to name.  With grants, students don't have to pay them back, however with most student loans, they do not have to be repaid until 6 months after the student graduates.

Along with financial aid, students get part-time jobs like working at the mall or at restaurants.  Personally, I work at the mall.  No one likes to work at the mall.  Working at the mall is a necessity to live, to pay the bills financial aid cannot, and to have a life outside of school.  Mall and restaurant workers have to put up with the rude customer who cannot make up their mind or wants their meal made to unattainable standards. 

Another way we, students, survive going to school is the help from our beloved parents.  The people who love us to death and don't want to let go.  They taught us to save, save, save.  They're the ones to tell us, "Don't put your purse on the ground or you'll be broke forever".  My mom always told me to save.

However it's hard to save your money when your priorities are: rent, food, books/school supplies, cell phone bill, car expenses, and the dreaded credit cards.  With financial aid paying mostly for tuition, the little, unfriendly customer, part time job has to pay off all these other expenses.  How can a measly $400 a month pay for all that?  

Some suggestions on how to make a students financial troubles easier:

1)  Public transportation- CSU Sacramento offers a shuttle that goes to different areas around school and picks up students like a city bus, and it's free.  Also if the shuttle stop is not near your house, use a city bus.  School's offer free bus passes for students.

2) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Recycling cans is the best way to earn a little bit of cash.  You can find any recycling place in your area at any gas station.  

3) Food Stamps- The Welfare Administration office will give students $200 a month for food.  Food should not be something anyone should have to worry about.  

Financial aid is one of the best things that could ever happen to a student.