Letter: Will I be in debt because of college?
Ever since I was little, I always thought I would go to college and study to be an engineer, a mechanic, or something that I’d love doing. As I entered high school back in 2010, I soon realized that it wouldn’t be as simple as just applying to college, getting good grades, and graduating — going to college also means being able to pay for your education.
Right now I am in my second year of college at Columbia Basin College and I am still surprised how much tuition costs! Even though financial aid helps me out, one quarter at CBC equals two paychecks at minimum wage.
As I move on in my academic career, I’m nervous about how I am going to pay for tuition at a four-year college. Not to mention housing, food, transportation, and other basic living expenses. My cousin, for instance, is a freshman at EWU and has taken a $10,000 loan just in order to cover his dormitory expense for the year.
Knowing this I ask myself, will I graduate with a bachelor’s degree and student loans that will haunt me for who knows how long?
Gabriel Bravo, Pasco
This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 5:29 PM with the headline "Letter: Will I be in debt because of college?."