To anyone who abhors college simply because it's "expensive"

[snarkykitty]

Poor choice to illustrate a point.

[lilwriter85]

Too bad loony Jessica aka Latisha went private or took down her blog because she once bashed young women for going to college.

Congrats to you.

[Trynn]

Except that for those like me who can't be independent till they're 25 even though they might be living on their own without parental support, have to put their parents info down on FAFSA, and their parents make too much for me to get any aid, but they're not rich enough to pay for it.

I'm having a really hard time getting a job due to

1. the economy

2. lack of social skills from being raised in a religious bubble (not fundy, but still a bubble.)

The joys of being middle class in America, can you tell that I'm bitter much? I get no scholarships, and I'm seriously all on loans. I know a lot of people get help, but it doesn't work for everybody. Sometimes, college is really fuckin expensive and there's not a single thing you can do about it.

[Kitty]

Yeah, except I can't find scholarships because my GPA in high school was only 3.61 AND I can't find any jobs, AND I have student loans. Oh, did I mention I'll have to drop out because I have no money left except for necessities? Yeah, my parents' income changed so I lost a ton of federal aid this year other than the loans, and the Republicans in the NC state legislature took away a huge grant.

"Bad decisions" my ass. Fucking self-righteous cow. "Oh look at me, I LIVE SO FRUGALLY and go to a MODERATELY PRICED state college!" Yeah, I live as frugally as possible as well on the money I've been saving up (ALSO since I was 17). But nooo, I'm in the situation I'm in because of "bad decisions."

Elitist CUNT.

I have no problems with those who graduate college debt-free. Good for y'all, and I mean that sincerely. But I hate it when they have to rub it in the faces of those who love college but can't stay in thanks to NOT HAVING ANY FUCKING MONEY and not having the right grades- or rather, the right INTERESTS- in high school. About 80% of the scholarships I came across were for math, science, or nursing. None of which I want as a career.

[Kitchen Princess]

Yeah, except I can't find scholarships because my GPA in high school was only 3.61 AND I can't find any jobs, AND I have student loans. Oh, did I mention I'll have to drop out because I have no money left except for necessities? Yeah, my parents' income changed so I lost a ton of federal aid this year other than the loans, and the Republicans in the NC state legislature took away a huge grant.

"Bad decisions" my ass. Fucking self-righteous cow. "Oh look at me, I LIVE SO FRUGALLY and go to a MODERATELY PRICED state college!" Yeah, I live as frugally as possible as well on the money I've been saving up (ALSO since I was 17). But nooo, I'm in the situation I'm in because of "bad decisions."

Elitist CUNT.

I have no problems with those who graduate college debt-free. Good for y'all, and I mean that sincerely. But I hate it when they have to rub it in the faces of those who love college but can't stay in thanks to NOT HAVING ANY FUCKING MONEY and not having the right grades- or rather, the right INTERESTS- in high school. About 80% of the scholarships I came across were for math, science, or nursing. None of which I want as a career.

This.

[anniebgood]

Try be an almost 60 year old white female trying to go back. I have beaucoup loans to pay off but I can't get a job, partially due to my age, disability and the fact that they can hire a 25 year old who's single and won't ask for as much money as I need. I'm better off staying on disability rather than trying to start a new path. My kids will end up paying off my student loans from my life insurance the way it's going. Sad but true.

[emmiedahl]

I took out student loans for the first time this year. My grants covered less than half of my tuition and I didn't get awarded any scholarships despite being a really good student living under the poverty level with 5 children. I have the volunteer work and I was vice president of our premed club. So I had to take out a loan. It's either that or quitting school. I had a minor freakout this fall and almost quit school because they accidentally denied me a loan (it was a mess-up and they fixed it).

I am going to a moderately priced state college and living very frugally. Frugally like, "can I afford a haircut? I dunno, that is $18 that could go somewhere else but I haven't had one in a year and a half..." Like, I don't have clothes that fit me since I had my youngest. Everything is too big or too small and I always look like crap. Like, wearing flats in the snow because the sole is coming off my boots and if anyone is getting shoes, it's the kids. Frugal as in shivering through the winter and sweating through the summer.

I applaud working your way through school without loans. What an accomplishment! I did it the first time through college. It was hard. Right now for me, it is not hard; it is impossible.

It's like telling me that you have a lucrative job as a movie star, so why don't the unemployed just do that? Because they can't.

[clibbyjo]

We just paid off our student loans last year at age 40.(That was just undergrad, dh when to grad school free) There is hope people, the damn things finally get paid off at some point!

[Witsec1]

I'm confused, snarkykitty, is that your "I am the 1%" poster, or someone else? Whoever it is, congrats on the graduation, but thumbs down to the elitist attitude. If you went to a public subsidized university, you are an evil socialist! according to the tea party. Also, give back your earned income tax credit, you class warrior! If you want those things to be around for your kids, join the 99%.

[deelaem]

Yeah, except I can't find scholarships because my GPA in high school was only 3.61 AND I can't find any jobs, AND I have student loans. Oh, did I mention I'll have to drop out because I have no money left except for necessities? Yeah, my parents' income changed so I lost a ton of federal aid this year other than the loans, and the Republicans in the NC state legislature took away a huge grant.

"Bad decisions" my ass. Fucking self-righteous cow. "Oh look at me, I LIVE SO FRUGALLY and go to a MODERATELY PRICED state college!" Yeah, I live as frugally as possible as well on the money I've been saving up (ALSO since I was 17). But nooo, I'm in the situation I'm in because of "bad decisions."

Elitist CUNT.

I have no problems with those who graduate college debt-free. Good for y'all, and I mean that sincerely. But I hate it when they have to rub it in the faces of those who love college but can't stay in thanks to NOT HAVING ANY FUCKING MONEY and not having the right grades- or rather, the right INTERESTS- in high school. About 80% of the scholarships I came across were for math, science, or nursing. None of which I want as a career.

Never thought I'd do this, but I agree with you whole-heartedly. The OP is being highly elitist and self-serving, and generally an asshole.

[Deleted03]

Stop supporting the extra-rich way of life and everyone will be debt-free at the end of college.

Fuck you very much!

Education should be free, instead it's thousand of dollars and not necessarily A) very good. Really I've been in other places B) lead you to a decent paying job. Yes it's not the 60's, 70's or even the 80's. The generation of our deciders has NO FUCKING clue what it means to be a college student nowadays. They want their precious retirement and medicaid for the olds. Freakin' egoists.

To that link I'll respond that awesomeness:

No one got rich on its own. And if I think more than roads and cops are to be funded by the government, the same reasoning holds. If you want your minimal wage workers to come to work and be productive then you need social programs, if you want them to wait by until you can make an acceptable (to you) profit you need social security, etc, etc.

[Bella99]

What a judgemental piece of work. I hate to break it to her, but she is one illness or injury away from the "99%". I couldn't understand why we were always broke even when we both were pulling in good salaries, then I realised that in the 7 years since we bought our home I've needed surgery 5 times. In the last two years we have both been laid off from our jobs, my husband started his own popsicle stand and I've gone back to school. The wheel never quits turning and illness and job loss can happen to anyone. As I have said before, I don't want a free lunch I want one I can afford to buy.

[stephanie]

Screw her! I graduated at 16 with a 3.9 and I still couldn't make it through college without loans (and I had a full time job) because the field I studied just does not have a lot to offer in scholarships, though I did have a few. Add that to having two kids along the way during schoolas well as my husband attending school at the same time and yea we have debt, our other option would have been dropping out and there is no way that would be a better option for our family's future

[Kitty]

What a judgemental piece of work. I hate to break it to her, but she is one illness or injury away from the "99%". I couldn't understand why we were always broke even when we both were pulling in good salaries, then I realised that in the 7 years since we bought our home I've needed surgery 5 times. In the last two years we have both been laid off from our jobs, my husband started his own popsicle stand and I've gone back to school. The wheel never quits turning and illness and job loss can happen to anyone. As I have said before, I don't want a free lunch I want one I can afford to buy.

She's probably a few months of birth control away from being in the 99%. Does she even have health insurance, or is she mooching off her parents'?

[Kitty]

Also, I should add that my younger sister had a weighted 4.4 GPA in high school and played 3 sports a year, plus she's had a much better time finding a job (probably because she's only 17 and nobody in my town will hire anyone over 18), BUT she's going to community college because while her scholarships paid for two years of that, they didn't even cover one year of university anywhere, even the local unis. And she was supposed to come to my uni this year.

Yeah, not such hot shit are you now, bitch!

[FakePigtails]

What a judgemental piece of work. I hate to break it to her, but she is one illness or injury away from the "99%". I couldn't understand why we were always broke even when we both were pulling in good salaries, then I realised that in the 7 years since we bought our home I've needed surgery 5 times. In the last two years we have both been laid off from our jobs, my husband started his own popsicle stand and I've gone back to school. The wheel never quits turning and illness and job loss can happen to anyone. As I have said before, I don't want a free lunch I want one I can afford to buy.

Yeah, I don't think many people fully appreciate that. Having someone in my immediate family with cancer growing up took away any notions I might've had that my family is invincible. Let's just say that my husbands immediate and extended family have been very, *very* lucky and have no idea. I imagine many others are the same and it was a culture shock of sorts to encounter the attitude.

That said, the OP's link is still better than this brat: http://www.break.com/pictures/another-s ... st-2183522

[emmiedahl]

That kid is out of touch with reality. A Bachelor's in Biology won't get you a job at McDonald's.

[dairyfreelife]

I agree with most of the posters here. Good for you for making it through school without debt, it is my goal too, but I doubt I will make it. I do have one grant I got for doing so well in college, but it took three years with GPA's above 3.65 and being on the Dean's List every semester. It barely pays for half of my tuition though. Even though I live on my own and work at a crappy retail job for minimum wage along with a small side job as a tutor, but it is only for extra cash, I am not fully independent. My parents still claim me as a dependent because they have some control over my finances. It is why I am STILL in school. I have dropped for a couple semesters because of finances and circumstances. My parents makes too much to get any extra money, but they are struggling financially and my father's job is on the rocks. I am trying my damn hardest, but sometimes it's not enough.

I know people who say the same things. "Oh, I did it without help." Yeah, about 15 years ago when it was a whole heck of lot cheaper and the economy wasn't in turmoil. I could not get any scholarships when I graduated high school because I did not have the grades or GPA. I admit it, I hated high school and did not try as hard as I should have and I would try much harder if I could do it over again, but I can't.

College IS too expensive for some people and a lot of people cannot get financial aid for a variety of reasons.

[emmiedahl]

It was a LOT easier 15 years ago. I received the same amount of aid money and tuition was less than half of what it is now.

[CanadianHippie]

Yeah, except I can't find scholarships because my GPA in high school was only 3.61 AND I can't find any jobs, AND I have student loans. Oh, did I mention I'll have to drop out because I have no money left except for necessities? Yeah, my parents' income changed so I lost a ton of federal aid this year other than the loans, and the Republicans in the NC state legislature took away a huge grant.

"Bad decisions" my ass. Fucking self-righteous cow. "Oh look at me, I LIVE SO FRUGALLY and go to a MODERATELY PRICED state college!" Yeah, I live as frugally as possible as well on the money I've been saving up (ALSO since I was 17). But nooo, I'm in the situation I'm in because of "bad decisions."

Elitist CUNT.

I have no problems with those who graduate college debt-free. Good for y'all, and I mean that sincerely. But I hate it when they have to rub it in the faces of those who love college but can't stay in thanks to NOT HAVING ANY FUCKING MONEY and not having the right grades- or rather, the right INTERESTS- in high school. About 80% of the scholarships I came across were for math, science, or nursing. None of which I want as a career.

:clap:

I live a hell of a lot more frugally than this C U Next Tuesday! I don't have a car, or live in my own place because I can't afford it. I still have debt. The worst decision I've made financially since starting university was paying off a loan I had at the bank this past September, now I don't think I'll be able to make it through November without help.

Dear Dumbass Person Who Has Had More Good Luck With Money and Post-Secondary Than Most People Have, There are people out there who work a hell of a lot harder and longer than you do for less money, live more frugally, and are NOT CAPABLE OF LIVING BENEATH THEIR MEANS! Not unless they feel like living in a tent, in the park, and skipping meals 5 out of 7 days a week.

And I don't agree with the caption for the image. Who ever this person is, is probably going to fold like cheap, plastic, camp chair the first time things get tougher than not having a new car, new gadget, and not eating out every night.

[Bella99]

Re: Miss 13 yo on Facebook:

Until she actually is faced with bills she can't pay and no one she can turn to she is simply not qualified to speak. This 13 yo child is simply not old or experienced enough to have her own (valid) opinion. I doubt she has had to pass on being on cheerleading, etc. because her folks couldn't afford the fees, is shopping at thrift stores for her school clothes, or learning to truly do without in any meaningful manner.

Until she starts walking in someone else's shoes (Emmie's flats in winter or my boots in summer because that is all we have). Until she has to drop out of college because she can't afford a laptop. Until she is facing down ER personnel to get care for a family member, arguing with them over money while someone she loves is puking in a bucket, she needs to keep her uninformed mouth shut.

BTW, anybody here who has a facebook account is welcome to add the above to her comments since I don't want to do facebook at this time.

[doe]

I just wanted to chime in to say that I had a 4.0 GPA in high school and only received a small scholarship (it was my parents well timed divorce that allowed me to qualify for aid to cover the rest). The local in state university was far more interested in a high ACT score than they were GPA. And I have never been one to test well. I knew a guy who got a perfect ACT score and he didn't give a crap about school and didn't go to college till several years after. And he took out loans to pay for it.

So in the end my getting good grades didn't mean as much as everyone said they would.

[Kelya]

Its just so self righteous and indicative of a selfish and poorly educated person that they're unable to see where they fit in the bigger picture. The 99% talks about demographics, trends, systematic issues. Its easy for someone to say "I'm not like this!" ignoring the fact that many others in their demographic ARE. When out of 100 people in X demographic, 99 are unemployed, that 1 person needs to be able to look at the others and realize that luck and minor influences probably got them out of the majority. How many people in her high school class and her current college class are in her position right now? On a scale of pure numbers, she's insignificant, but I hope her self righteous sign makes her feel better.

To me, this sign is a tactic of the 1%, of the wealthy, of the privileged: turning us against each other. When we look at others like us and go "Ha! I've done better than you, you, you and you!" and not realize that there by the grace of the universe goes us, we're in trouble. Let's start focusing on how we all deserve safe, livable wage jobs, safe places to live, access to education, and access to healthcare, focus on getting those things from those who are preventing us, and stop trying to take it from others who are struggling just as much. Look at the attacks on unions! Unionized workers have things we all want- so let's target the ones who are keeping us from those things, not try to take it from others who deserve it just as much as we do. Because we ALL deserve it, honestly, we do. I swear.

[emmiedahl]

There are people out there who work a hell of a lot harder and longer than you do for less money, live more frugally, and are NOT CAPABLE OF LIVING BENEATH THEIR MEANS! Not unless they feel like living in a tent, in the park, and skipping meals 5 out of 7 days a week.

Sing it sister.

I mean, really, if living above my means is getting medical treatment when I am hemorrhaging or paying for used textbooks with a student loan, then, yeah, I guess I am living above my means.

The fact that basic needs are beyond my means despite working full time is kinda the fucking issue here.

[Bella99]

Its just so self righteous and indicative of a selfish and poorly educated person that they're unable to see where they fit in the bigger picture. The 99% talks about demographics, trends, systematic issues. Its easy for someone to say "I'm not like this!" ignoring the fact that many others in their demographic ARE. When out of 100 people in X demographic, 99 are unemployed, that 1 person needs to be able to look at the others and realize that luck and minor influences probably got them out of the majority. How many people in her high school class and her current college class are in her position right now? On a scale of pure numbers, she's insignificant, but I hope her self righteous sign makes her feel better.

To me, this sign is a tactic of the 1%, of the wealthy, of the privileged: turning us against each other. When we look at others like us and go "Ha! I've done better than you, you, you and you!" and not realize that there by the grace of the universe goes us, we're in trouble. Let's start focusing on how we all deserve safe, livable wage jobs, safe places to live, access to education, and access to healthcare, focus on getting those things from those who are preventing us, and stop trying to take it from others who are struggling just as much. Look at the attacks on unions! Unionized workers have things we all want- so let's target the ones who are keeping us from those things, not try to take it from others who deserve it just as much as we do. Because we ALL deserve it, honestly, we do. I swear.

Kelya, you're much kinder than I am, I hope her she trips over her self-righteous sign and has to worry about how she will work with a broken toe and fund the medical bills. That may be the only way she learns any compassion.