Last week, I read an article about the rise of college
students in poverty. The cost of
attending college usually focuses on the tuition and fees; rarely does the
conversation ever include the cost of living.
Now we all know that most college students would say they were poor. I know there were weeks in college where I
subsisted on Ramen noodles, Kool-Aid and McDonalds – which also happened to be
where I worked. However, looking back, I
realize I really wasn’t that poor. Yes, I worked a low-paying job, and yes, I
incurred a large amount of student loan debt, but I had a roof over my head and
food in my belly – even if it wasn’t high quality food. What’s more, even though my parents couldn’t
help me much financially, they lived right down the street. There was no chance of me ever becoming
homeless, and I knew I could always stop by for a home-cooked meal. Most of you
know my entire career has been focused on the complex issues related to
poverty, which is why I found the statistics in this article so troubling. Consider the following:
·
1:5 college students have gone hungry in the
past year because they didn’t have money for food.
·
8-12% of college students are homeless, or
lack permanent housing.
·
20% of college students have gone an entire
day without food because money was tight.
These numbers broke my heart. Some say the numbers are
even higher, and that the issue hasn’t been studied enough to know for sure. Many students don’t talk about it because of
the stigma associated with poverty. Others
who do talk about it are often rebuffed by family and friends who consider college
poverty a rite of passage that comes with the territory. I’m interested to know what you think, so my
question this week is, “Do these numbers seem high to you – or is this what you
would expect? Do you think schools and
universities have a responsibility to help address these issues – and if so,
how?” Answers are due no later than
Wednesday, 25th, 2016. Please
note that you have two weeks to complete this blog because I will be out of
town next week. If you or someone you know is dealing with homelessness or food
insecurity, please feel free to reach out – I may have resources that can help!
***I would be remiss this week if I didn’t dedicate this
post to Shay Gaither, an Art Institute student who lost her life this past
week. I will always remember Shay’s
infectious laugh and beautiful light. As I’ve mourned this past week, I’ve been
comforted by the fact that we’re forever sisters, and somewhere, her soul lives
on. Shine on, sister, shine on!***
These numbers do seem higher to me because 1:5 college students are going hungry for a whole year when they don't have any money to buy food. Yes, I think schools and universities are responsible to help with these issues by working hard so the students can get paid.
ReplyDeleteThese numbers actually do not seem that high to me, and that honestly makes me sad. It is not right that I should expect numbers like that, dealing with hunger and college students. It is hard for many college students to ask for help, because it is such a well-known concept for college students to be starving that it is just brushed aside as an inevitable problem. I feel as though schools and universities do not try hard enough; they just offer very non-personal financial aid. There really should be much more one-on-one interaction with students in order to break down the factors leading to the problem, and then work on creating an action plan to solve said problems. Multiple school counselors that strictly focus on financial and health components that have mandatory meetings with students ought to be considered for colleges.
ReplyDelete~Jessica Palmer
These numbers are not as high as I expected but it still makes me sad. And yes in a way I feel the universities have a responsibilities to help with this. Not to say they need to help every single student. But if there are students that are really struggling, they should have a program or something for students who need it the most.
ReplyDeleteThose numbers don't really surprise me at all. It is more expensive to go to college now then ever before. For some people school is all they have. They put everything they have into it hoping for a better future when they complete school. These people simply don't have enough money for housing and food. A lot of these people cannot rely on their parents or relatives for any funds. I think that the country as a whole holds the responsibility to help these kids. Nobody should have to worry about where they are going to sleep while trying to pass classes
ReplyDelete-Corey Music
Honestly, im really not that surprised. its already hard enough during final week to stay on top of homework, and meet physical appearance and interior needs. Eating, (for some)showering, putting on makeup for a early morning presentation, or even laying out the right outfit the night before. But when you add college bills on top of it ranging from 200-2000 dollars plus other college lifestyle habits, its really hard to keep up with certain things. these numbers could e a lot higher in my opinion and it doesn't really shock me.
ReplyDeleteGiGi
I don't feel surprised, but maybe that is just because I was raised in a very cynical household. I honestly don't doubt that it is happening and I honestly don't doubt that it won't stop happening. Maybe it is just a bad thing that I accepted horrible things happening to people who may or may not deserve it. Which means if I accepted it, other people have accepted it as a norm. If some people aren't uncomfortable enough with their situation they won't make any effort to change it, is at least what I've learned. Especially from the hungry college students to the well fed college students.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised at all on how high these numbers are. The majority of students attending a college have to get student loans to help them pay for each semester. I do think schools/universities have a responsibility to address this issues by giving more information concerning loans to every student.
ReplyDelete-Jared Shaw
I'm not surprised. It's hard to be surprised by things of that nature anymore. Students struggle in the US and it's a product of our environment. I think even if schools did start to make a program to feed students who need it, it would somehow backfire on us anyway because they would charge interest to our student loans or somehow snake a way into the system to have us pay even more for it. I honestly don't think anything should be done because we would probably end up getting charged double for it anyhow. (but maybe i'm just being cynical)
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised at all, in fact, I'm more surprised that the numbers are not higher. From what I know, no matter what a person's financial situation/circumstance is, if they want something they will go broke getting it; possibly with the hopes of it paying off in the end. I think the schools/universities should have programs already set up for struggling students as a way of giving back or even showing that they too care about our future (without the intent of further robbing us via tuition or any other forms of pay)🤔...wishful thinking. Hell, the way I see it, the WORLD is in debt so why not each one reach one, what else is there to lose? 🤔 But again...wishful thinking 😏
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised at all, in fact, I'm more surprised that the numbers are not higher. From what I know, no matter what a person's financial situation/circumstance is, if they want something they will go broke getting it; possibly with the hopes of it paying off in the end. I think the schools/universities should have programs already set up for struggling students as a way of giving back or even showing that they too care about our future (without the intent of further robbing us via tuition or any other forms of pay)🤔...wishful thinking. Hell, the way I see it, the WORLD is in debt so why not each one reach one, what else is there to lose? 🤔 But again...wishful thinking 😏
ReplyDeleteThe numbers really surprised me because i dont even know "8-12% of college students are homeless, or lack permanent housing." In my opinion, universities should offer some programs that can help student financial. Moreover, if tuition fees and some other extra fees amount can be reduced, it will help alot for students who struggling with education fee
ReplyDeleteIf anything these numbers don't seem that high considering how many colleges there are around the nation I feel the numbers would be higher. I think schools s and University have an obligation to make sure that their students are able to achieve success. I feel like a student aid program would be a good start to help th the students that are struggling. The student that are struggling are going through hell so that they can make a better life for themselves I don't believe that just because someone wants to go to college to make a better life for themselves should have to sacrifice daily Essentials like food to get by.
ReplyDeleteThese numbers do not surprise me. As I know that when you don't have money food is not the priority, when it comes to being broke paying bills and keeping the roof over your head is the main focus. And sometimes that's not even enough. It's very frustrating when you're trying to focus on living but also on school, and things just keep getting worse. Some students can stay with their parents or family members to make College easier, and many don't want to go back to their families for help when they think that they can handle it on their own. Like that right of passage kind of thing. I have been in many of the situations that you've read about, and I feel that universities and colleges should definitely assist or figure out how to help college students with living. I also think that the government and other institutions should be involved lending a hand to those college students who may be in poverty.
ReplyDeleteThe numbers are quite high but at the same time it doest really scare me. yIn some way I do feel that the universities have a responsibilities to help with this. But on one end they can not help every student, But if there are some students that are really struggling, they should have some sort of program or way to help them.
ReplyDeleteTO me and from my own personal life i dont think its high... students that go to college have to work to live but also set time aside for homework and to study so they can stay in school and they just dont get the time they do to work to get the money for food at all. i know its not good but students live on pb&j or soup. i think we need to help out more for the students who dont get the food they need cuz of money issues.
ReplyDeleteStudents need some kind of allowance or assets during college. All students do not have reliable transportation or bus fare to go back and forth to work. There needs to be some type of financial aid in place for living expenses.
ReplyDeleteStudents need some kind of allowance or assets during college. All students do not have reliable transportation or bus fare to go back and forth to work. There needs to be some type of financial aid in place for living expenses.
ReplyDeleteThese numbers do seem a little high, but believable. On one side, I do not believe schools should should be responsible because if you chose to go to college, you need to make sure you can take care of yourself. If you can't afford your bills, get another job, a better job, etc. On the other hand, the cost of college is so outrageous I do believe they should have to help a little bit or at least regulate it and help the find better means of making money, finding a permanent place to live, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt is high, and believable. It's definitely a real struggle for most college students. It's not the school's full responsibility. Staff members sometimes feed us, and I think it helps the issue for those who are going hungry.
ReplyDeleteNo one said it was going to be easy to be an adult and budget your money and still succeed. You do indeed have to strive and work hard. Extremely hard to maintain everything without losing your mind. But you have to want to succeed as much as you want to breath. And sometimes you lose sleep, sometimes you go a little hungry. I think this goes along with any kind of struggle no matter what the field. Military, college, work, raising kids, going to the gym etc etc.Training yourself everyday and be better than the day before. We are all fighting to succeed. Cant give up on your dreams!
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ReplyDeleteIt is high, and believable. It's definitely a real struggle for most college students. It's not the school's full responsibility. Staff members sometimes feed us, and I think it helps the issue for those who are going hungry.
ReplyDeleteNo one said it was going to be easy to be an adult and budget your money and still succeed. You do indeed have to strive and work hard. Extremely hard to maintain everything without losing your mind. But you have to want to succeed as much as you want to breath. And sometimes you lose sleep, sometimes you go a little hungry. I think this goes along with any kind of struggle no matter what the field. Military, college, work, raising kids, going to the gym etc etc.Training yourself everyday and be better than the day before. We are all fighting to succeed. Cant give up on your dreams!