I’m currently going through one of those “holy crap, money counts” moments in my life right now. See, I’m attending college currently. We all know that college isn’t cheap, and I’ll have you know the university I’m currently attending is extremely not cheap. I realize how fortunate I am to be going to this university let alone college. I think 1% of the adult world has a college degree. I certainly wouldn’t be here without the financial aid they have offered me, but I’m finding out that it still isn’t enough. I even got a job as a resident advisor which pays for my room and board, but still, financial anxieties reside in my thoughts.
I love my university. However, I grow more and more curious about how it operates. For instance, when they do come down to the financial aid decision, the ask for my FAFSA (everyone’s favorite past time), my parents and my own tax return forms, and my parents W-2 forms… not mine. (w-2 forms tell how much money an individual made in a year.) I am paying for my own schooling, and yet they don’t ask for how much I make. I’ll give you an idea of what I make… $100 a month for my RA position on campus + $120 a month for my four hours a week at a residence hall front desk + $50-$150 a month for my off campus job (it pays $10 an hour… but offers about two days per month). So… my average month = $270-$370… making my salary… well, a lot less than my parents.
Here’s the issue. Yes, I’m declared a dependent student… I live at home during the summers, but I’m paying for my schooling. They don’t ask that question on FAFSA… do they? Oh well... not much I can really do about it… Now I’m looking for a “legitimate” summer job. Posts on that soon to come.
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