Happy Tuesday!
Getting into school is half the battle. Paying for school is the rest of the battle.
I'm the type of person who doesn't like debt. I know that's silly considering that students will inevitably acquire debt but I don't like it. It's something that weighs over your head like a dark cloud and I want no part in it. However, I'm quickly realising how ridiculously difficult it is to find alternative means for funding such as scholarships and grants.
Part of the trouble is my situation. I am an American student, I've been out of high school for several years and I'm studying in Europe. Many scholarships and grants, at least in the US, are school specific or for people who are completely destitute which I am not. This means I only partially qualify for a vast majority of the scholarships and grants that are available. Another part of the trouble is getting duped from the scams that out there asking for money in exchange for help finding funding that they never intend to offer.
It's very disheartening.
I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high to avoid the despair of finding a good scholarship that I don't qualify for. However, if I don't keep my hopes up, I will want to give up and that's not something that I can risk.
I was reading an article published by River, the student newsletter for Kingston University, and further in the article it talked about how some students were using their bodies for money for school. It disturbed me greatly, to say the least. I had asked, "Why would students feel the need to sell their bodies for tuition?" I kind of understand it now. Looking for funding is difficult and many lose hope and revert to other, less respectful ways to pay for their education. Nevertheless, this should never be an option.
If you are having trouble finding funding for school, do not lose hope. I'm right there with you and we will get through it even if it means we will acquire debt. We can earn money to pay back debts but earning self-respect is far more difficult.
I am now opening the floor! Let me know in the comments what you've encountered trying to find funding for university! What works? What didn't work? How are you managing?
Till next time :)
Steven
