Taking Time Away
I am not on financial aid. I am lucky to come from a family that can afford to pay for my education so that I do not have to stress about it. When I was applying to college I was under the impression that students from low-income families were able to attend Yale and Harvard for free. This is what I told my friends and what I told my little sister (through BBBS) in the hopes that she would one day apply.
I first heard about the student income contribution from my friend at Harvard who was upset as she, despite being on the ski team and constantly stressing about finances already, had to get a job. Yale’s student income situation similarly became a part of my life through the stories of my suitemates and friends. My first semester at college was stressful emotionally, socially, and academically by itself and I can’t imagine also having to commit time to a job. The student income contribution takes time away that students on financial aid could be using to study, bond with friends, or participate in other activities and groups. It puts them at a disadvantage compared to those of us who can pay and it should be removed.
I first heard about the student income contribution from my friend at Harvard who was upset as she, despite being on the ski team and constantly stressing about finances already, had to get a job. Yale’s student income situation similarly became a part of my life through the stories of my suitemates and friends. My first semester at college was stressful emotionally, socially, and academically by itself and I can’t imagine also having to commit time to a job. The student income contribution takes time away that students on financial aid could be using to study, bond with friends, or participate in other activities and groups. It puts them at a disadvantage compared to those of us who can pay and it should be removed.
