They work hard for their money

Some students are fortunate enough to have parents who are willing and able to fund their college tuition, rent and living expenses. But what about those students who don’t have anyone to pay their way through school?

According to Cal Poly financial aid counselor Delfina Medina-Maloney, due to this past year’s economic downturn more students have been seeking loans, jobs and other forms of aid instead of their parents’ paychecks.

Agricultural business senior Todd Griffin was told by his parents that college was a choice, and if he wanted to attend he would have to pay his own way. He was not thwarted however, and applied for a number of scholarships as a freshman and worked steadily. Griffin said that his time management skills have become stronger due to his rigorous schedule.

“I know the value of a dollar,” he said. “It humbled me in a sense. You really appreciate college a little bit more if you are funding your own way. If I had my college paid for, I think that would have been great, but since I didn’t I just have to deal with the cards that were dealt.”

Griffin still enjoys social activities, but said that he has to plan ahead and set money aside strategically each month.

“I don’t think I have missed too many things,” he said. “I can still pay for rent and school, but I know where I would have to cut off my social stuff if I didn’t make enough for the month.”

The long-term rewards keep Griffin motivated, because future employers will see that he self-funded his degree, making his resume more desirable.

Unlike Griffin, electrical engineering senior Alex Korzh did not expect to be responsible for his finances when starting college. Due to family circumstances, midway through his sophomore year he was completely financially independent and working at Best Buy.

“The position I have right now allows me to work part- time and pays well enough so that I can afford everything without taking out loans,” he said. “But there are definitely budget constraints and it’s always something that is kind of on top of my head.”

Nonetheless, Korzh maintains an active social life, albeit with some extra planning around work. The biggest issue for him has been maintaining good grades.

“With engineering I have a lot of labs and big projects,” he said. “Where most of my fellow engineers have time to work on a larger lab over the weekend, I would have to squeeze time in after work or stay on campus all day. I don’t have that weekend time as much as others.”

Korzh, like Griffin, ultimately considers his financial situation to be a positive one, and said, “It’s definitely doable, and I do see the positives for my life. Overall I don’t regret it and I think it is just another aspect, another way to do things.”

Flexibility is required to work while attending school. Working paired with studying is time-consuming and can cause panic mid-quarter when academic loads become heavier, Medina-Maloney said.

“It becomes overwhelming, either because of the commitments they have made, or because they are working more hours,” she said. “And then midterms come and it hits.”

She advises students to take it slow.

“Coming out of a quarter having completed two or three classes with A’s and B’s is better than completing four or five classes with C’s and D’s,” she said.

There are other options to help students supporting themselves. In these economic times, some students need extra help, even if they work or have family support, she added.

To utilize financial aid, Medina- Maloney said that students should research what is available to them online. Income is not as big of a factor as many students think, as there are loans and grants for every situation.

“If they didn’t borrow before, students are finding out, even if they have been here a year or two, how the loan process works,” she said.

In some cases, in order to receive financial aid, a fair amount of school involvement is required, as well as letters of recommendation.

Although Medina-Maloney sees some students struggle under the burden of work and academia, she notes there are benefits in the long run to being financially independent from parents, including being more competitive in the job market.

“I have the seen the students who have to hustle through school,” she said. “And I think it makes it that much easier for them when they are done. They are more marketable because they have that work history. In this market, even if you have a bachelor degree, you need work experience.”