Assisting college students can decrease the number hours they need to work, allowing more time and energy to focus on their studies so they can graduate, get a job, and give back to the community. I feel that’s the entire point if assistive services; to help lift people up so as they can better help themselves and give back to their community.

I had no help when I was in college, my major was hard and demanding and I had two work two just just to make money for school and food. I barely slept and worried all the time about my next meal. I couldn’t handle all the demands on my time and ended up accruing a huge credit card debt just so I could eat and focus on my studies. I think having access would’ve have helped make things a lot easier. Having access to healthy meals improves brain function, how are you supposed to do well in school when you aren’t eating or sleeping?

If we continue to demand that a college education is a requirement for “success” and that education for all must be a standard we continually strive for, while at the same time constantly increasing the cost of that education and holding wages down, there will always be a large percentage of poorer and indigent students who will desire and be willing to work hard to achieve that higher rung on the economic ladder. As of now, even many previously designated “ middle class” families are severely challenged in providing the support for their children to pursue a college degree or vocational training. Unless we make substantial changes in both the cost and funding mechanisms for the tuition and expenses associated with obtaining a college or vocational education, these young people will require assistance from our government. The government is the only source of funds and support that can be required by law to offer assistance and be subject to oversight to ensure its programs do not determine who receives that aid based on race, gender, creed or ethnicity. These same students deserve the additional support to enable them to be successful. Food stamp support is based on the ability to qualify according to one’s level of income. As long as students can qualify financially to receive them, food stamps should be part of a support package they receive.