Expenses hinder education for middle class

As children, we tend to grow up believing that going to college is everything, and without it, no one can succeed. The problem with this mindset is that wanting to go to college means people need money — and a lot of it, depending on where they desire to go.

College should not be treated as an option, but rather a right to the public. Saying that if a person has money then they are eligible to go to college, as opposed to the middle class student who wants to further their studies, is belittling to the student who actually wants to further their education.

Of course, not every wealthy student who attends college goes just for the heck of it, but thinking about it, they do indeed have it easier than the less-than-rich students, at least financially.

According to a May 2014 article by the New York Times, “About a quarter of college freshmen born into the bottom half of the income distribution will manage to collect a bachelor’s degree by age 24, while almost 90 percent of freshmen born into families in the top income quartile will go on to finish their degree.”

Most of the time, first-year college students have families who are at least able to help support their attendance the first year, but it is almost impossible for those families to keep providing money if they are in the middle class — especially if there are other factors that come into play such as other children still in secondary school, other children in college or everyday living expenses.

Many other countries — such as Norway, Denmark, Germany and Argentina, according to Deseret News, treat higher education as a human right, rather than in America where the ideology seems to be that if one has money, one can continue on their education.

FAFSA hardly helps many students, as the U.S. government can only offer a student so much. The rest of this cost has to come out-of-pocket or through scholarships obtained in high school or whilst in college.

Paying money to continue to go to school is reasonable, sure, but college expenses are always rising and those who can truly afford four or more years are those who are wealthier. Many students desire higher education, but if they can’t afford it, they feel the need to give up on searching for the right school.

At the University of South Dakota, 72 percent of undergraduates are offered financial aid, which is a significant number. While the majority of college students will find themselves in debt, it’s unfair to those who simply want higher education have to suffer for it later on.

Those who take education for granted definitely do not need to be in college, because it is unfair seeing those who desire more knowledge not able to achieve their dreams due to affordability.

Treating schooling as something only those who are privileged can have is no different than taking away another person’s right to marry or express themselves freely.