Paladin

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Marquis Cook [Click to enlarge]

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like school costs are becoming more challenging than usual to cover. With the cost of living getting higher by the minute and wages not following suit, along with fewer job openings and budget cuts affecting community college funds, LBCC students are having a tough time budgeting their expenses.

My situation has been tough and at first, a little humiliating. With no job in the last four months and savings depleted, I've had to rely on family and friends to get by. I applied for financial aid and the EOPS program but I'm still waiting to get approved. So in the meantime, I use the library, share materials with classmates and use the computer lab.

Many students around campus are finding themselves in a similar situation and are using alternative methods to get the things they need for classes.

One student, who I met near the financial aid office, explained how she was working fulltime and is now working parttime to focus more on her education. She's going through the financial aid process but in the meantime, she uses her part-time job to pay for books and supplies. If she gets stuck for a meal, she may go half on the bill and share with a friend.

While most students are finding the bus a better alternative than driving, one student says it's a problem for him because of the two-hour commute.

Two other students, one an interior design major and the other a culinary arts major, complained about extra supplies and books being required for classes that may not have been needed in previous semesters. The interior design student said, "I'm having to get extra books and extra supplies, which is costing me extra money." The culinary student explained how part-time jobs on campus can be hard to get. She said, "I'm on the waiting list for a job but I can't get it because the same people keep getting picked. They need to have more positions so other people can get a chance to work and earn."

I think a book and material waiver needs to be implemented. I know they have a book grant in place, but the grant is limited and has certain qualifications. My suggestion would be to take the fee waiver concept and apply it to books and supplies required for classes. The cost of classes can be waived, why can't books and materials be waived as well? Students wouldn't have to worry about how they're going to get an assignment completed because they can't afford to get the books or materials required for that class.

Another thing is Transportation. Transportation is always an issue with students, and with rising gas prices, they are looking for more affordable ways to get to and from school. The school could work out something with the city and Long Beach Transit so that students could get free bus passes. This would help students who rely on public transportation.

These two suggestions would help students to focus more on their assignments and less on their finances.

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