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
Dear Steven
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your blog when I was scrolling through the UCAS page on Facebook I sympathize with you,my story being so much similar to yours. I'm an 18 year old Indian, looking forward to study Media at University of Sussex, and the whole idea of acquiring such a large debt at such a young age is scary as hell. I've spent months trying to find one good scholarship that when rightfully earned, will help me shake off a bit of worry, only to reach another dead end. I read about how people are so neck deep in debt that they are often, almost magnetically, attracted to any means they can afford - starting from a job at a small coffee shop or supermarket, to being escorts. It's sad. I know that clinging on to that last strand of hope is difficult but it's nice to know you're not alone.
Good read. :)
Thanks so much! Yes, I believe it shouldn't have to be this difficult to find funding for school. I feel like it shouldn't be super easy but I think it shouldn't be hidden behind walls of ridiculousness. We are definitely not alone. Nearly every day I read these tragic stories of students living under a mountain of debt simply because they want further education. It's so sad! But do not lose hope and best of luck at Sussex! :)
ReplyDeletehi Steven!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find your contacts to email you, so decided to post my message in the comment. (sorry for this)
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Hi Steven!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Kaneesha and I also will be traveling to London for school next year. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions. You can contact me through email at kaneeshabrooke@gmail.com. Thanks.
Hiya Steven,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Richard from Nigeria.
Your blog made me realized that I'm not the only one in this kind of situation. I'm hoping that I will qualify for manchester metropolitan university's scholarship which will just be one third of my tuition fee
I look forward to being in manchester metropolitan university to start my degree program in HRM, come this September.
hey Steven. Last year - year before WHATEVER! lol. My parents had that same attitude - they kinda talked me into believing that I could never make it to the UK. I'd been accepted to study law and...they got me to reject the offer by messing with my self-esteem? I'm 25 now. Meh. You get to a point in your life - O_O (old!) where you kinda realize you NEED to do the things that are in your heart otherwise it bugs you, bogs you and no1 but YOU can/will care.
ReplyDeleteNow I have always been an OBSESSIVE planner - mind you I lost this after some time - but here goes - *clears throat.
My idea was - when applying - I couldn't ONLY depend on scholarships. There HAD to be other means of funding oneself through school! And there are - albeit competitions.
1. If you're a bedroom writer like me - they're entry fee free - these (Peter Ustinov, Amazon Studios Movie and Sitcom Scheme, Yale Drama Series, Frieze Award...& I believe there are others) and I have also been looking at Publishers that take unsolicited manuscripts. I have gotten to half of one of my book ideas. I hope they like it. :s - check out BBC and Commonwealth writers or some arts groups in the USam. see what you find.
2. Get into some graphics and work with sites like Threadless - they pay you a $5000 'scholarship' instead of the usual award of $3000 award for successful designs, i think. And there are other sites like this one.
Granted its hard to work on finances AND study - (I feel so guilty having gone a week without studying because I was writing) but you know what! I do Literature at A levels...so IT IS STUDYING, right? Meh. I have been pimping myself out - and getting paper and writing tirelessly... :/ O_o hope it helped!
Hi! Somehow I missed your comment! I'm so sorry!
ReplyDeleteI think that's brilliant that you're going to MMU! Congrats! Did you ever hear back about the scholarship?
Hey! Sorry I missed your comment before!
ReplyDeleteThose are really great tips! I'm glad you hunkered down and really got creative about finding funding for your studies. It's definitely a challenge; you just have to stay focused and not lose hope when things don't quite go as well.
And 25 is not old even if universities kind of make you feel like it haha! I know at 21, I felt like I was ancient! "Mature student" what the hell, right? lol
Best of luck to you man! :)