It’s already back to school time and many are looking for some type of federal aid. With the passage of the stimulus bill last year, many students are hoping to find some sort of new Obama college grants that might be available this year. However, other than Pell grants that have been raised slightly, there is nothing new that the President has done for students.
It is true that President Obama has given a few speeches that emphasized the importance of getting your education and even going back to school if possible. He talked about moms return to school grants in a speech that got lots of media coverage. However, these were all just speeches and nothing more, just like all presidents seem to make. Every president wants to look like they are engaged and concerned about our education system even if they have no specific plans to do anything about it.
This year money is tight for everyone and students are in for a big challenge. College costs remain high and jobs are extremely hard to find which leaves many students scratching their heads wondering what to do. It is sad for this generation of college students that something so important like getting a college degree may be out of reach for many just because of financial concerns.
For many students, the question has to be how much they are willing to go into debt to get that degree? Yes, most everyone agrees that a degree is important but if you have to start out deep in debt so early in life just to get one then maybe an alternative should be considered. College should be a fun place where students go to learn and grow up, not a place where they become saddled with debt for the rest of their lives.
Getting a job, if one can be found, right out of high school and working your way up through the ranks of corporate America has to be a choice to be considered right now. Working four years and saving money might give you a better chance to make it in the real world than spending those four years accruing debt. It is a difficult decision for many college age students right now and an important one that has to be made so early in life.
