Attending college was never a maybe for me. It was always a certain step I knew I was required to take if I wanted to have a stable job in the future and, more importantly, achieve financial stability.
Once I got into Colorado University at Denver, I had to figure out how I was going to pay for it. I explored several options to help with the cost of school, but little was available to me. FAFSA determined that my expected family contribution (EFC) was high enough that I did not qualify for federal or state grants. My EFC did not take into account whether my parents were actually going to support my educational aspirations.
Throughout the semesters, I have worked as a nanny and completed my fair share of on-campus jobs. It hasn’t been easy navigating college while also juggling two jobs, and even three jobs some semesters, but it’s the only way I will be able to finish my degree in public health and keep me on track to become a doctor.
Frankly, it’s not a sustainable strategy. It causes a lot of stress, can be physically taxing, and lead to mental health issues. I’ve personally experienced a fair share of burn out and physical illness as a result of this lifestyle. That’s why it’s time for our members of Congress to work on addressing the staggering issues in our current higher education system and modernize higher education policies to meet the needs of today’s students.
For me, not having to worry about how I’m going to pay for college on a weekly basis would be liberating. Right now, I budget weekly and when an unexpected college-related expense occurs, like needing an access code for a test, that disrupts my entire weekly budget, which could mean less money for groceries that week.
It should be in the best interest of Congress to have an educated workforce ready to tackle the many challenges of an ever-changing and unpredictable 21st-century job market, but we can’t do that if we’re stuck between trying to figure out if we should pay for tuition or groceries.
Chelsea Montoya is a current undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Public Health at the University of Colorado – Denver with hopes to continue her education and receive an MD