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Financial crutch
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Nontraditional students over the age of 25 currently make up 39% of postsecondary students and are a growing number. Considering on going back to school? Don't get discouraged ladies, but do know that it can be stressful. After working 9 to 5 and raising a family or supporting our parent(s), we want to focus on continuing our education.
Sounds simple enough. Believe me ladies, I've stressed over this for months. As most of us are, we're under paid and make enough money to cover living expenses and all these damn taxes, especially in Chicago in this economic downfall. So why is it when looking for financial assistance, all of a sudden we make too much money? I have had this discussion of frustration with friends and family on how 'it pays to be poor'. I have been working for over 15 years and pay my taxes. Not only did I become a economic statistic for a few months, I also decided to finally focus on furthering my education by going back to school and thought that finding grants or scholarships could help pay for some of my tuition. But FAFSA said I made enough money and did not qualify for assistance. Well, how about all the grants and scholarships? I had qualify for FAFSA in the first place before I could qualify for any of the other three scholarships. I didn't single it out just yet, I was given links where I could locate other scholarships that could help me.
Unless I was coming right out of high school, a single mother, married, abused or a minority women who wanted to be a zoologist or an astronaut, I was S.O.L. The scholarship I was looking for was for a strong, hard working, tax paying, minority women who wants to further her education, while holding financial struggles and responsibilities for self and parent. Where are the scholarships for that? Should I feel discriminated against? Are unmarried, childless women being discriminated against in receiving financial aid to better themselves? Isn't that what it's for?
When I say it pays to be poor, I mean that when I see my neighbor sitting at home with no job, some kids, paying next to nothing for living expenses in a brand new home, collecting free money, free medical insurance and free food with the opportunity to go to school and get a degree to better themselves off my tax paying money! Who's carrying the financial burden? So, yes I'm frustrated and feel discriminated against. Any one out there willing to represent me on this one? I understand if you need some help, but when people take advantage and get away with it...then it ain't cool. I've seen this happen for years. How long do we pay for them to get it together - until they get their PhD? These same people that allow it are the people questioning my needs.
I can't possibly be the only one feeling these frustrations, not in just educational situations but in everyday life. Let's not let these obstacles discourage us from accomplishing our goals, but maybe our voice can play as an advocate for the next generation.
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