Published: August 27, 2009

Living in New York City is expensive, but the cost of attending college in Manhattan is astronomical.  In the current economic climate, many students are finding it increasingly more difficult to make ends meet. Fiscal responsibility is falling to the students as their parents lose their jobs or take pay cuts, meaning students must find a way to pay for their living quarters, books, food, clothing and a number of other living expenses, including extra cleaning supplies as we come into the flu season.

As Anndrew Vacca’s “Facing Criticism, Financial Services Defends Timeliness” article states on the front page of this issue of the Observer, many students were unable to plan ahead as they received their financial aid packages as late as August 24, the same day Fordham said student bills were due. Although Fordham’s Financial Aid Office said that there was little delay in the release of individual packages, some students still had concern about procuring loans late in the summer season, since they were unaware of how much or if Fordham would offer them any aid.

“Financial aid officials say that this year saw little to no change to the time frame of the release of financial determinations, despite a heavier workload, and that Fordham is doing everything to remain an ‘affordable’ education,” states Vacca’s article.

Despite whether or not students received their financial packages late in the year, one thing is certain—we must learn to budget. Prioritization is key. As college students, books and groceries need to be purchased before we spend money on club cover charges and the latest style from Top Shop. We don’t have to give up what others might consider frivolous, but if we begin cutting back where possible, we can afford an occasional splurge. Simple things, like making coffee at home, instead of spending five dollars every day at Starbucks, start to add up. Just three weeks of cutting back on the take-out caffeine adds up to $75, which more than covers a night out.

Some students have to make drastic changes in their lives, like moving off campus to cheaper housing elsewhere, but the small changes do make a difference. Students recognize that an education is important, especially with the pool of opportunities after college shrinking before we even get a chance to test the waters.

If the students make the effort to be financially responsible, then the University should also do it’s part. Professors should only assign books that are necessary for the course, and the University should sell them at reasonable prices. Replacing functional, even if it is older, class or dorm room furniture should come after making sure students are able to afford basic living expenses. The University is willing to offer a helping hand, but it feels more like a slap when no one is willing to listen to the help you do need. A Fordham education is expensive. We should know where our money is going, and expect services worth the high price we are paying.