(Not getting financial aid due to drug violations)
http://media.www.marshallparthenon.com/ ... 8798.shtml

College Loans (paying them back)
http://www.petersons.com/common/article ... &sponsor=1

College appears to be a monumental milestone in defeating poverty. Throughout pre-adult life, one is told countless times of the benefits and opportunities made possible by continued education following high school. The allure of a college diploma includes a higher pay grade and increased job opportunities for college graduates. But how many people in today’s society can realistically afford to become enrolled in any form of higher education? The cost of tuition is continuing to increase (SOURCE) and encountering financial roadblocks is becoming exceedingly prevalent. If college is the gate to escaping poverty, how then can the underprivileged expect to acquire the key amidst the increased cost of living, financial aid problems, and other prominent shortcomings in today’s economy?
The average person is bound to run into multiple setbacks when applying for college and financial aide. Immediately, a $20-$30 application fee foreshadows the impending wallet drain. This charge is only to apply for the selected college and does not even guarantee admission. The joyous FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aide) requires filling out concluding acceptance to the chosen school. Drug convictions, felonies, and related crimes dramatically lower, or completely destroy any chance of receiving financial compensation through Federal Student Aide (SOURCE). For a large number, these stipulations inconveniently affect those who may have made one or two poor decisions as young adults. Drug Rehabilitation programs are offered to redeem chances of receiving Federal Student Aide, but for someone struggling financially, can add to the pile of unaffordable expenses. The problems a person might run into on the FAFSA are not only money related. Any incorrect or unfilled portions of the application are not accepted and returned weeks, possibly months, after being sent in for review. Any grants or loans hoped to be received will likely end up being delayed, which could result in a very rough, nearly impossible start to the semester. Numerous setbacks from the beginning make climbing the financial ladder increasingly difficult.
Gaining acceptance to college and filing an application for federal student aid is only the first of many roadblocks in financing an education. After paying tuition, an individual must consider their basic needs; food, water, and shelter. Rent, parking, groceries, and extracurricular activities are bound to require a reasonable amount of revenue to afford. Until a required degree and job are landed, chances are a part time job will be necessary. With the state of the economy, finding employment is far from guaranteed. As well, today’s universities are becoming more and more demanding in their expectations of students. The amount of work expected of each student has increased to a point where maintaining a job is simply not feasible. For those without choice, the additional part-time job can warrant less study time and lower grades. Aside from work and school, finding time for friends, fun, exercise can become nearly impossible.
Life isn’t financially free and clear after receiving a diploma and receiving employment in a degree related job. College is a commitment, and so are the borrowed loans to pay for it. A six-month grace period following graduation is generally given, but payments then start. This expense will eat away a significant portion in one’s paycheck, leading to a rocky transition from struggling college student to becoming financially comfortable and independent. Certain qualifications can lead to deferred payment on loans, but are not granted solely by asking. Many times, deferred payments are indefinite and chances are slim that they will be granted over and over. The amount of money borrowed originally will be considerably less compared to the expected repayment. Interest accumulates at anywhere between five and ten percent, which keeps increasing dollar amount if left unpaid.
“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor, and if one is a member of a captive population, economically speaking, one’s feet have simply been placed on the treadmill forever.” (BALDWIN SOURCE) Poverty for prospective, current, and college graduates appears to resemble this never-ending treadmill. The entire college experience is extremely expensive, especially for those without the money to finance it. In this way, college can be seen as either a paradox or humble beginning. College is an expensive route towards higher pay and more job opportunities, but a route seemingly unavailable to the disadvantaged who need it most. Alternatively, the rewards are there. For being financially well-off, one must start from the bottom, with humble beginnings. In theory, this makes for a more competent, responsible, and well-rounded person following the experience. I hate this conclusion, am running out of time, and am just going to re-drop it into the box, or re-hand it in, regardless being a rough draft.