Can't afford textbooks and materials

onthecollegehunt
Wed, 15 Jan 2014 08:58:28 +0000

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It stinks to have less money than all your friends and most of the people around you. I know, I’ve lived it. That’s one of the reasons I knew I would never thrust student loan payments on my kids. But don’t let yourself become a victim. Our country may not have free tuition - those countries that do only offer it to the very best and brightest students - but we do have affordable higher education that is accessible to all. The affordable path (community college followed by a local state school), may not be the most prestigious, in fact it rarely is, but if you want to be a teacher, it probably would have been the best path for you.

First, let’s figure out what the positives are in your situation - you’ve got a strong, stable family who is willing to give you free room and board. Do they also pay for your cell phone? I’m assuming your non school related expenses are limited to gas and car insurance. OK, those things aren’t cheap, but during the school year they are paid for with your part time job. So, it’s pretty clear that what you need to do once your car is covered is to lower your expenses and raise your income.

First, figure out how much money it would save you if you transferred to Montclair or Kean (if you’re commuting to Seton Hall, one of those should be doable for you). Those schools will cost you right around $10k per year. Every thousand that Seton Hall is over that you should look at as money out of your current or future pockets. Figure out exactly how much state school saves you. Then, try to earn some more money. You want to be a teacher - how about tutoring? That’s some quick cash and you’ve got a built in client base - your younger siblings’ classmates. Even if time prohibits you from earning more money during the school year, you certainly can raise the amount you’re earning each summer.

Finally, you don’t mention how old your siblings are, but unless they’re very young, my guess is your mom just likes somebody in the house, and is not so concerned about you interacting with the kids. I’ll often leave my three younger kids in the house (ages 6 to 10) if there’s a teen sleeping/doing homework somewhere upstairs. In other words, it’s something the teens would be doing anyway. Still, I know being around younger kids and their noise and squabbles can get tiresome. Is there another sibling aging up to babysitting soon? If so, you should try to work out a schedule. Maybe you can be available a couple of evenings, and your sibling could be available other evenings. And then get yourself involved in school. Stay at the library and study. Go to some school sponsored functions. Do some activities that have been organized specifically for commuters.

You can do this. And you’ll be a better man for it.