Business management major Gianna Delgado and business administration major Victor Velásquez share the same short-term goal: to earn a four-year college degree.
They both know they still have a long way to go on their journey; as they say, it’s becoming quite challenging because they have to work part-time to cover some college expenses that their financial aid doesn’t cover. Such as gas, food, and other expenses.
“Money would be my biggest challenge to go to college because I have two younger siblings, and my parents are saving up for all of us to go to college, so it’s a lot of saving up to do,” said Delgado.
Delgado says she has to depend on the extra income she earns working as a waitress 20 hours a week to cover her expenses.
“If I didn’t have financial aid, I would probably be working a full-time job helping pay off my tuition, and it would also make me prioritize work more than my studies,” said Delgado.
Velásquez’s situation is similar to Delgado’s, as he also depends on a part-time job at a pet store to cover additional expenses.
“If I didn’t have financial aid, I probably would not be able to attend full-time college,” said Velásquez.
“It would have to be more spread out, and I wouldn’t be able to be here full- time committed. I’d have to get a second job.”
Delgado and Velásquez are not alone on this journey. According to Lumina Foundation, about 64% of college students in the U.S. work while enrolled, and 40% work full-time.
“I would be paying about $14,000 to $15,000 per year,” said Delgado.
And as they continue fighting as hard as they can to make their dreams come true, they hope for a better future ahead.
“This career will change my life because it will allow me to pursue something that I love,” said Velásquez.
“It is important for me to finish my college career because it will allow me to find high-paying jobs in the field that I want,” said Delgado.
