The rapper Kanye West once proclaimed that “having money isn’t everything, NOT having it is” and when the prospect of paying for college creeps up, this quote may ring truth for many first-generation college students.
I am forever grateful for programs like Federal Aid, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and of course, CSO, dedicated to helping students finance their education and that have enabled me to attend Dartmouth College. I cannot stress the importance of applying for outside scholarships; there may be some expenses (a laptop, for example) that your scholarship may not cover and it’s better to be prepared for them rather than struggle to make ends meet later.
If, like myself, you attend a school on the other side of the country (or just a state away) from home, you’ll soon realize that you need money for that plane ticket or bus fare to go back home during breaks. Traveling is not cheap but luckily there are other programs like Federal Work-Study that, if eligible, will help you earn a few extra dollars. Work-Study is customized to fit your schedule and the opportunities can range from cashier to library assistant. You make your own hours; drop hours if you need to study for a test and pick up hours if you need money fast. Also, college campuses are always in need for research assistants and tutors; these jobs are usually well paying and look great on a resume.
Just remember that work should never take priority over your education!
All the best and good luck!