OUR Voice....OUR Story

As my group has continuosly stated thus far, our group has decided to focus on financial aid issues that many student face here in the ODU community. While thinking about our group project I decided that I would share my story with you all as it relates to showing why this is such an important topic.....

In the Fall of 2008, I decided to get the "full college experience" and live on campus. Interesting, I must say. Not to mention that I was paying about $600.00 a month out of my own pocket because I apparently did not have enough finanical aid to cover all my expenses. Ok, so I worked full-time at Giant Eagle at the time and I also had to have another job as a paid intern to cover everything I needed as a college student and just as a person period. So, tuition out of my pocket did not cover my cell phone bill, car insurance, gas, and supposedly it covers food but the cafeteria closes at like 7:00pm and; therefore, getting off of work every night at 10:30pm was not the most helpful but I had no other choice.

In the meantime, while trying to be a good student and receive good grades, I was very depressed. I was not happy and every event on campus I could not attend because it was in the middle of the day when I had to work. I often went to class tired, and unattentive. I realized that if I did not change something then I would put myself at risk for "taking a break" from school. My banking account often became negative because the payment plan they had me on would never give me a break. I went to the business office several times to explain my situation but no one showed mercy.....wonder why...could it be because they all have their degrees already?

It is good to hear that other students struggle with this and that many are willing to gather up and make a change. My parents can not afford to pay for my college education but their income still reflects on FASFA as well, which this part of the system also needs to be reformed (but that would be much more Nationally).

It is not a down talk on ODU....instead it is a challenge. If we are to truly be an institution that "contemplates on truth".....then it starts with OUR voices.....OUR stories....

--Here is my voice...Here is my story....
Britt.