sophiastrom

[sophiastrom]

The Costs of College: Is It Worth It?

College funds are an issue for a lot of people today, including me. It's a hard and very controversial topic, as going to college comes with a long list of challenges beyond just tuition. Students must also navigate costs like transportation, housing, food, textbooks, and other hidden fees that aren’t always made clear when first enrolling. In this blog series, I will be addressing these financial burdens and how they have impacted my own life, along with the lives of many of my peers. These challenges don’t just affect students; they impact entire families. In my family, we have always valued education and viewed it as a non-negotiable part of life. It was always expected that I would go to college, and that aligned perfectly with my personal dream of becoming a nurse, a goal I’ve had since seventh grade. However, reaching that goal has not been easy. The financial stress that comes with college can be overwhelming and constant, and it doesn't stop at tuition. Everything, from course materials to lab fees to everyday living costs, adds up quickly, and it all takes a toll on students' success and well-being. The issue I want to explore through this series is the financial challenges of pursuing higher education in America. College is often viewed as the first big step toward launching a career and achieving long-term success. But for many students and their families, it’s a step that comes with massive financial strain, one that often feels like climbing a steep hill with no support. Through this blog, I’ll share my personal journey, explore the realities of financial strain, highlight stories from other students, and take a deeper look at what it’s really like to go through college without financial security.

Picture of a young woman graduating college holding a degree with price tags on it

My guiding research question is: How do the financial challenges of attending college affect students' ability to succeed and complete their education? This question comes not just from my own experience but from seeing so many others face similar struggles. I believe that understanding these challenges, and finding practical, compassionate solutions is essential. We owe it to current and future students to make the path to higher education less overwhelming.

The cost of attending college includes far more than just tuition. Students and their families also have to budget for housing, transportation, textbooks, technology, meal plans, personal supplies, and often-overlooked costs like lab fees or specialized materials for certain classes. All of these add to the financial weight of college and can extend far beyond graduation. According to Boise State University’s Dean of Students Office, many students struggle just to meet their basic needs. Some go without proper meals, sleep in unstable housing situations, or lack access to healthcare—all while trying to succeed academically. Families are often forced into difficult decisions, such as taking on multiple jobs, working longer hours, dipping into savings, or accumulating debt. As a college student who just completed my freshman year, I’ve personally had to juggle financial concerns with coursework, and I’ve watched my peers do the same. College is often portrayed as an exciting and carefree time, filled with fun, freedom, and self-discovery. But in reality, many students are under enormous pressure, trying to keep up with school while also holding down one or even two jobs just to pay rent or buy groceries. It’s exhausting, and it takes a toll.

The mental and emotional strain of financial stress can be just as serious as the financial burden itself. I’ve seen students suffer from anxiety, burnout, and isolation. It’s hard to focus on a final exam or a group project when you’re worried about whether your paycheck will cover this month’s rent. There’s also an enormous expectation placed on students to succeed academically, hold a job, and still somehow enjoy their “college experience.” That balancing act is not sustainable for everyone, and it often leads to students falling behind, dropping out, or facing mental health crises. According to the National College Attainment Network (n.d.), cost is still the single largest barrier to accessing higher education, and that financial pressure directly impacts students' success and ability to complete their degrees. What’s even more alarming is how these financial struggles continue after graduation. Students often leave college with significant debt, sometimes owing tens of thousands of dollars. Loan payments can delay major milestones like buying a home, starting a family, or saving for retirement. For students like me who plan to pursue graduate school, like getting a master's degree in nursing, the debt burden can double or even triple. Through this blog series, I want to bring attention to these issues, not just to vent, but to create space for real conversations and solutions. What policies need to change? What resources are out there that students might not know about? How can colleges better support students who are struggling? These are the questions I hope to explore in the next posts. Because education should be empowering, not financially paralyzing.

References:

New report: Cost remains the largest barrier to Higher Ed - National College Attainment Network. (n.d.). https://www.ncan.org/news/681687/New-Report-Cost-Remains-the-Largest-Barrier-to-Higher-Ed.htm

Boise State University. (2025b, March 19). The increased cost of college & its impact on student basic needs. Dean of Students. https://www.boisestate.edu/deanofstudents/2021/05/05/the-increased-cost-of-college-its-impact-on-student-basic-needs/

[sophiastrom]

A Toll On Mental Health

In addition to the financial burden itself, one of the most overlooked aspects of college affordability is the direct impact it has on students’ academic performance and mental health. When students are constantly worried about how they’ll afford rent, groceries, or tuition for the next semester, it becomes extremely difficult to focus fully on their education. Academic success requires not just intelligence and hard work, but also time, stability, and peace of mind, things that are often compromised when a student is under financial strain. Many students are forced to take on one or more jobs to make ends meet, often working late into the night or on weekends when they should be resting, studying, or participating in campus life. These long work hours leave little time for homework, group projects, or even attending office hours for extra help. As a result, students may see their grades suffer—not due to lack of ability or motivation, but because of a lack of resources and time. According to a 2023 report from The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, over 70% of students reported that financial stress negatively impacted their academic performance.

A picture showing a man with his hands over his face with squiggles coming out of his head as he's frustrated, with money in the background.

Personally, I’ve had to make decisions like skipping meals to save money, or working longer shifts even when I had exams the next day. I know students who have dropped classes or even taken a semester off simply because they couldn't afford to continue. These aren’t isolated experiences, they’re becoming more and more common. This financial pressure also takes a toll on students' mental health. It’s not uncommon to hear students express feelings of burnout, hopelessness, or extreme anxiety about the future. The constant juggling of school, work, and financial responsibilities creates a cycle of stress that is difficult to break. According to the American College Health Association, over 60% of college students reported feeling "overwhelming anxiety" in the past year, and financial pressure is a leading contributor.

Students under this kind of stress often have fewer opportunities to engage with the parts of college that are meant to be enriching and fulfilling, clubs, internships, leadership opportunities, or even just spending time with friends. These experiences are important not just for personal development, but for building networks and gaining skills that are essential after graduation. When these are lost due to financial strain, students are at a disadvantage even beyond the classroom. What’s worse is that the system often punishes students for struggling. A dip in GPA can cause students to lose scholarships or grants, placing them in an even worse financial position. This creates a vicious cycle that’s hard to escape. It's not enough to expect students to “push through” these obstacles—we need to address the root causes and create more flexible, student-centered solutions. Through greater public funding, expanded access to emergency financial support, on-campus job programs, and mental health services, schools and policymakers can help alleviate some of these burdens. It’s essential that we stop treating financial strain as a side issue and recognize it for what it is: a major barrier to academic success and student well-being.

References:

The Hope Center: For College, Community, and Justice. - The Hope Center. (n.d.-a). https://hope4college.com/etype-emailblastcontent-eid-7b201e21-1184-4bfb-b2a9-a2b15fe634cc/

Kesherim, R. (2025, March 19). Alarming college student stress statistics. Total Care ABA Therapy – Helping Your Child Succeed. https://www.totalcareaba.com/statistics/student-stress-statistics

[sophiastrom]

How Helpful Is Financial Aid

While financial aid is designed to alleviate the significant financial burden of higher education, in reality, it is often limited, inconsistent, and difficult for many students to access. The amount of aid awarded frequently falls far short of covering the full cost of attendance, which includes not only tuition but also housing, textbooks, transportation, food, and other essential living expenses. For many students, especially those from low- and middle-income families, this shortfall forces them to seek alternative means of financing their education, most commonly through student loans. These loans may seem like a necessary step toward achieving academic and career goals, but they often come with a heavy price. The process of applying for financial aid itself is a significant hurdle that many students struggle to overcome. Students are required to complete complex and lengthy paperwork, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which demands detailed financial information and can be confusing even for those with some experience navigating financial systems. In addition, strict deadlines and shifting eligibility criteria add further layers of stress. This process becomes especially overwhelming for first-generation college students, who may lack guidance or support from family members familiar with the system. Without clear instructions or resources, these students often face delays or mistakes that could reduce the amount of aid they ultimately receive.

A picture of money bills spread out with "Emergency Grant Funding" at the top

Even for those who successfully obtain financial aid, the support is often insufficient to cover all costs. Many scholarships and grants only cover tuition or a portion of living expenses, leaving students to fill the gap through loans or part-time work, which can detract from their academic focus. This gap pushes a large number of students into debt, taking out loans that they may not fully understand in terms of long-term financial. impact. As Brock, Barrow, and Rouse explain in their article Postsecondary Education in the United States, reliance on student loans has significant long-term financial consequences. Many graduates leave college owing tens of thousands of dollars, often with interest rates that cause their debt to grow steadily over time. This burden is particularly heavy for young adults who, at the time of borrowing, may not fully grasp the long-term implications of taking on student debt. The accumulation of interest, the effect on credit scores, and the eventual repayment schedules can become overwhelming once they enter the workforce. For many, this means entering their adult lives with a financial weight that delays or limits other important life decisions. This is true with my friends and I; we often talk about how much in debt we're going to be after college, especially as we go to a school on the more expensive side. I don't think reality has yet hit us, as we get hit with the debt when we graduate. Its hard to not get caught up with the fun aspects of school, and realize that going to college to get an education comes with a cost.

Furthermore, the desire to continue education beyond a bachelor’s degree often exacerbates the issue. Pursuing a master’s degree or other graduate education typically involves even higher costs, since graduate programs often have fewer funding opportunities and more expensive tuition. This results in additional borrowing, compounding the total debt load. The financial strain of graduate school loans can have lasting effects on a student’s financial stability and career choices. The implications of this growing student loan debt extend well beyond graduation. For many, it delays major milestones such as purchasing a home, starting a family, or achieving true financial independence. High monthly loan payments can limit the ability to save for a down payment or invest in retirement, which can have ripple effects that last for decades. Moreover, the stress of debt repayment may influence career decisions, pushing graduates to prioritize higher-paying jobs over their passions or to remain in jobs simply to maintain health insurance and benefits, rather than pursue entrepreneurial or creative opportunities. So while financial aid was created to make higher education more affordable and accessible, the current system often falls short, leaving many students to rely heavily on student loans with significant long-term consequences. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive policy reforms, clearer financial education, and more robust support systems, especially for first-generation and low-income students, to ensure that the promise of higher education does not become a lifelong financial burden.

References:

Brock, T., Barrow, L., & Rouse, C. (n.d.). Postsecondary Education in the United States: Introducing the Issue. https://oar.princeton.edu/bitstream/88435/pr1m90227t/1/FutureofChildren_postsecondary.pdf

[sophiastrom]

FAFSA

The cycle of debt not only undermines the promise of higher education as a pathway to upward mobility but also contributes to growing financial insecurity among college graduates. Through my personal experiences, I have come to understand just how difficult and frustrating the FAFSA process can be. While financial aid may seem like a helpful short-term solution, it often fails to address the deeper, long-term issues surrounding the high cost of higher education. Not only is it a temporary fix, but the process itself is also lengthy, complicated, and mentally exhausting. For many students, especially those unfamiliar with the system or without support, navigating the numerous steps involved—from gathering tax documents to understanding confusing terminology—can be overwhelming. The year when I applied for FAFSA, which was 2023, the situation was especially difficult. The government was significantly delayed in processing financial aid forms, which created a ripple effect of uncertainty and stress. I was left waiting for months without any clear information about how much aid I would receive. This delay was particularly stressful because it impacted such an important decision, choosing which college to attend. The amount of financial aid I expected to receive was a major factor in my decision, as it would determine whether a school was financially feasible for me and my family. Without timely information from FAFSA, I felt like I was forced to make this decision based on incomplete or uncertain data. The entire experience made me realize that while financial aid is meant to be a support system, in many cases, it adds to the confusion and pressure that students already face.

Colleges and universities have attempted to respond to these challenges in various ways, but often fall short of addressing the root of the issue. Many institutions have implemented programs such as emergency grants, campus food pantries, transportation vouchers, and temporary housing assistance. While these initiatives are helpful in the short term and can provide crucial relief to students in crisis, they tend to act more like band-aids than real solutions. They may ease the immediate burden, but do little to tackle the broader systemic issue: the overall cost of attending college remains overwhelmingly high. The National College Attainment Network (n.d.) has critiqued these efforts, emphasizing that while any form of aid is appreciated, these measures don't confront the fundamental problem, that higher education in the United States is often financially out of reach for many families. Even with scholarships, loans, and federal aid, the cumulative costs of tuition, books, housing, transportation, and other living expenses can create significant financial strain. For many students, this results in taking on multiple jobs, accruing massive debt, or even pausing or dropping out of school altogether. Until colleges and policymakers shift their focus from temporary fixes to long-term affordability and structural reform, the financial barriers to higher education will continue to impact millions of students nationwide

References:

New report: Cost remains the largest barrier to Higher Ed - National College Attainment Network. (n.d.). https://www.ncan.org/news/681687/New-Report-Cost-Remains-the-Largest-Barrier-to-Higher-Ed.htm

[sophiastrom]

Why the Financial Aid System Is Failing Students

This has been a major problem for a long time, and even though people have been talking about it for years, most of the solutions we’ve seen haven’t made a real difference. A lot of ideas sound great at first, things like new policies or changes to how students get financial aid, but when it comes time to put them into practice, they often fall short. Many of these plans don’t actually help the students and families who need them the most. Either they’re too hard to access, too complicated to understand, or they don’t last long enough to really make a difference. For example, the FAFSA is meant to help students apply for financial aid, but the process can be so confusing and stressful that it pushes people away instead of helping them.

Infographic from The Ohio State University’s National Student Financial Wellness Study. On the left side, there are ten graduation caps, seven of which are red, indicating that 7 out of 10 college students feel stressed about their finances. On the right side, a red inverted triangle chart shows the primary sources of tuition funding: Loans (36%), Scholarships (35%), Family (19%), Job (4%), Savings (3%), and Other (3%).

Students who don’t have parents or mentors to guide them often get stuck, and some give up altogether. It’s frustrating to see something that’s supposed to help end up being another obstacle. Other solutions that have been tried, like one-time grants, small increases in aid, or limited student loan forgiveness, do help some students, but they don’t get to the root of the problem. They might ease the pressure for a little while, but they don’t fix the big issues like the rising cost of tuition, the unequal access to college, or the overall structure of the financial aid system. Because these problems keep getting overlooked or ignored, families, especially those from low-income or first-generation backgrounds, are left in very difficult situations. Many parents take on more than one job or dip into their savings just to support their children’s education. Some even take on loans they can’t afford, just to make sure their kids get a shot at a better future. Meanwhile, students are trying to manage full course loads, part-time jobs, family responsibilities, and social pressures, all at once. It takes a toll, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

The truth is, real change won’t come from temporary fixes or promises that sound nice but don’t follow through. What we need is serious, thoughtful reform that actually puts students and their families at the center of the conversation. That means creating financial aid systems that are easy to understand and actually helpful. It means lowering the total cost of going to college, not just tuition, but also books, housing, transportation, and food. All of these things add up, and they make it harder for students to focus on their education. We also need strong support systems in place to guide students through the process, especially those who don’t have someone at home who’s been through it before. In order to make college truly accessible, we have to look at the big picture and be willing to make meaningful, long-term changes. That includes being honest about the struggles students face and listening to their voices when decisions are being made. Until we make these kinds of real, lasting changes, the stress and burden of paying for college will continue to fall on the people who are already working the hardest to make a better life for themselves and their families.