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Mnesday, October 10, 2001
Footing the bill
Students juggle academics, employment
to keep grades, finances afloat
By MlCALA PrOESCH
THE BATTALION
ins
id.
aintan
After a long, hard day of waiting
lies,Lindsey Vyoral, a Blinn College
lent who plans to transfer to Texas
:M. returns to her apartment at 2
i. and cannot wait to sleep. Her back
her head aches and she is not
;ing forward to work tomorrow,
ich less having to catch up on
lioolwork and study for tests.
However, Vyoral, like many other
lents, is caught in a seemingly
fa cycle of working to pay for
bool, attending classes and trying to
in a social life.
At A&M, there are many stu
nts who are forced to deal with
is reality every day. While some
identsare blessed with the avail-
of resources to attend a
ir-year university, many others
istseek financial assistance.
The Department of Student
dal Aid at A&M offers several
iportunities to assist those who are
igibleand who are making academic
tigress toward a degree.
Scholarships are available to stu-
:nts with exceptional talent or aca-
unic prowess, while those who
mnstrate financial need may qualify
it a grant or a loan.
The Department of Student
racial Aid also offers opportunities
- f.tn.
for student employment, as do many
other departments at A&M.
While many students qualify for
this type of financial aid, others must
look elsewhere for sources of financial
relief. One option among students in
the College Station area is to attend the
less expensive Blinn College and then
transfer to A&M.
“1 decided to go to Blinn for two
years and save a lot of money on
tuition,” Vyoral said. ”1 know that I can
still graduate from A&M, so I figure I
might as well save some money too.”
Even if students opt to attend Blinn
or receive assistance through financial
aid, they still have to pay bills and
often are forced to work.
Attending school is similar to hav
ing a job, so when a student must
work, it is as time-consuming and
draining as having two jobs. These
students must often sacrifice either
good grades or a social life to keep
money coming in.
Branden Lorenz, a junior finance
major who works at the University
Bookstore, said, “If only I had the free
time that the average college student
has, a 4.0 would be a piece of cake.”
Having to work also can add stress
to a student’s life.
“It’s really stressful at the end of
the month trying to make rent and pay
all of my bills on top of studying,”
Vyoral said.
While working and going to school
has its disadvantages, there also can
be some rewards from learning to bal
ance work and school. Students who
work tend to be more responsible and
organized because they know that fail
ing to be organized may cost them
their jobs or their grades.
Katie Jahns, a junior finance major,
said she feels that having a job will
help her in the long run.
“Having a job teaches you time
management skills because you have
to balance your time between study
ing and working,” Jahns said.
Another advantage of working
to pay your own college bills is that
it prepares you for financial respon
sibility after college.
Nick Henderson, a senior manu
facturing engineering technology
major, said, “Paying your own bills
and working throughout college
prepares you for the real world, so it
isn’t a shock when you are on your
own and your money goes so fast.”
Working while attending school
can teach students the value of hard
work and makes them appreciate what
others may take for granted.
“I’m not bitter that I have to work,
but it’s irritating when I hear other
people whose parents give them
everything complain about not having
any money,” Henderson said. “They
don’t appreciate what they have.”
AMEY BAHN • THE BATTALION
A *# A « * C A* i
ElTLlNG
1884
Do you realize how the
financial decisions you make
today can affect:
Getting a job.
Buying a car
Buying a house?
me Find Out:
Financial Top Ten
10. Managing Credit
9. Be Financially Responsible
8. Being Credit Worthy
7. Credit Report Review
6. Avoid Risk-Based Pricing
5, Credit Warning Signs
4. Setting Financial Goals
3. Saving Money
2, Time is Money
L Investing
We would like to encourage all students to attend the first ever,
financial workshop presented by Student Financial Services,
MBNA, Wells Fargo and Aggieland Credit Union.
This event is FREE of charge for all TAMU students. Please
come and join us for an informational evening that will further
develop your financial awareness and increase your money
management skills!
When: October 11, 2001, 5:30 to 7:00
Where: 601 Rudder Tower
Who: Ail TAMU Students
Refreshments provided.
Bring your friends!!!
CIUEDIT^UNION
xXT'tPY T €2
GO
WIN $1,000
The Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship
and Our Corporate Partners Announce the
BUSINESS
IDEA
COMPETITION
Open to all Texas A&M University Students
20 IDEAS WILL WIN $1,000 CASH
Free workshops are offered to help you through the process of
developing your business idea. The topic of our next workshop is
“Identifying and Serving Customers” and will be held
Monday, October 15, 7:15-9:15 PM, Wehner 118
Tuesday, October 16,7:00-9:00 PM, Zachry 102
An awesome door prize (a Kodak MC3, courtesy
of Circuit City) will be presented at these workshops.
Check out this great prize at:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/cameras/mc3/
http://management.tamu.edu/cnve/ideas