Bridge Cards Taken Away from about 30,000 College Students....

[epiphany]

Perhaps you should do like millions of other struggling Americans and seek full time employment while going to school part time?

Why should the tax dollars of those working full time be subsidizing your decision not to?

Maybe I can't find a full-time job. Didn't I make that clear? Believe me, I have been applying for full-time jobs and taking on-line courses to open up my schedule. Did you not read my post? I have been looking for a full-time job for about two years now. I have gone to several interviews, but no one will hire me.

It really upsets me because I moved here a few years ago and before moving here I worked since I was 13 years old. I have been caring for myself for a long time because I didn't get to live with Mom and Dad after I turned 18. I had no problem finding work until recently and now people treat me like some sort of loser. It really gets old.

[DetroitTeacher]

In order to keep financial aid and qualify for grants, one must be a full time student. 12 credit hours for Pell Grants.

It's also difficult to find full time work without a degree when there are PLENTY of people with degrees looking for the jobs that most high school students filled in previous years.

Perhaps you should do like millions of other struggling Americans and seek full time employment while going to school part time?

Why should the tax dollars of those working full time be subsidizing your decision not to?

[epiphany]

In order to keep financial aid and qualify for grants, one must be a full time student. 12 credit hours for Pell Grants.

Thank you. If you I stop going to school full-time I won't get crap.

[Johnnny5]

Maybe I can't find a full-time job. Didn't I make that clear? Believe me, I have been applying for full-time jobs and taking on-line courses to open up my schedule. Did you not read my post? I have been looking for a full-time job for about two years now. I have gone to several interviews, but no one will hire me.

It really upsets me because I moved here a few years ago and before moving here I worked since I was 13 years old. I have been caring for myself for a long time because I didn't get to live with Mom and Dad after I turned 18. I had no problem finding work until recently and now people treat me like some sort of loser. It really gets old.

I read your post. I also noticed the part where you said your status as a full time student, and your full class schedule was preventing you from obtaining full time employment.

[epiphany]

I read your post. I also noticed the part where you said your status as a full time student, and your full class schedule was preventing you from obtaining full time employment.

I also said that I have an open schedule because I take on-line classes and people still refuse to hire me. Maybe you should read more closely.

[Meddle]

It is clear that many of you don't understand how truly difficult it is to find work [[even part-time) when you are a full-time college student with little availability.

Many of you don't understand that college is OPTIONAL and most people don't choose that option. Less than half of HS grads go to college. Nor is it a guarantee you'll get a job in your field of study, if you get a job at all.

[epiphany]

Many of you don't understand that college is OPTIONAL and most people don't choose that option. Less than half of HS grads go to college. Nor is it a guarantee you'll get a job in your field of study, if you get a job at all.

Well, making under 18,000 a year really wasn't cutting it for me. I understand that it is optional and I also understand that places don't like to hire those that don't have some sort of degree anymore. Why would I choose to live in poverty when I can at the very least have a shot at something better? Aside from that, a college degree will allow me to get the hell out of this country and work overseas. So, it's worth it for that reason alone.

Many of you don't understand that not everyone can just go out and get a job. I need credentials and proof of my abilities. If I have a degree in accounting and a CPA license, I think that I'll be able to get a job in my field. I'm not going to school for some liberal arts crap. I am going to school to not be poor, so stop making assumptions.

[justanotherboy]

"So, what do I do when this semester ends and I lose my work-study job?"

Have you applied to the Mcdonalds, Subway, Biggby, etc that are next to campus?

The majority of college students do not want to work a fast food job, take a job as a security gaurd, clean the casino, etc. Between Midtown and Downtown Detroit, there are all kinds of part time jobs available for those who want to work.

[epiphany]

Also, the goal is to not need government assistance. If I don't finish school I'll still be using a bridge card [[and more) because my crappy job won't pay me enough to survive. Which do you prefer?

[Meddle]

Have you applied to the Mcdonalds, Subway, Biggby, etc .....

... alongside all the other college gradjeates with them fancy-dancy sheepskin doo-dads a'hangin' on their bedroom walls.

[epiphany]

"So, what do I do when this semester ends and I lose my work-study job?"

Have you applied to the Mcdonalds, Subway, Biggby, etc that are next to campus?

The majority of college students do not want to work a fast food job, take a job as a security gaurd, clean the casino, etc. Between Midtown and Downtown Detroit, there are all kinds of part time jobs available for those who want to work.

Sure have! Multiple times! McDonalds won't even talk to me when I go in to ask about my on-line applications and I have applied to work there about 20 times in different locations. I'm not sure why you assume that I am above a fast-food job. I'll take anything.

This is another assumption that really, really, really frustrates me. It is the fast food places that I can't even get in for an interview! I am convinced that those on-line applications have somehow blocked me from getting hired because I have no luck with those.

[DetroitTeacher]

Love it! My son's friends [[in their 20s) can't get jobs to save their lives. They usually volunteer at various places to pass the time. They have tried applying everywhere but no one seems to be hiring kids when they can get degreed professionals for the job.

I worked my way through school [[full time, both gigs), raised a kid, and made the Dean's list each semester. It was rough. My son won't eat Ramen Noodles [[and it makes him sick to even smell them) or Mac and Cheese anymore because that's what we lived on. I took out outrageous loans that make my monthly payment more than my mortgage! It plain sucks. No one told me my monthly payments were going to be such astronomical amounts! I was young and dumb. There was no way I could pay for school, a place to live, food, clothes for the boy, AND tuition and books. I had to do what I had to do. Because I worked full time, I didn't qualify for food stamps or other assistance [[nor would I have qualified for financial aid had I not had my son). Thank goodness I had a supportive family! I wasn't making enough to make ends meet but I was making too much to get help. And no, I didn't get a dime in child support. He just wouldn't pay it. That was long before the state/government stepped in and tracked them down.

... alongside all the other college gradjeates with them fancy-dancy sheepskin doo-dads a'hangin' on their bedroom walls.

[Det_ard]

My niece was on them for a while - she was a full time student, working 2 retails jobs, and couldn't make ends meet no matter how hard her frugal little ass tried - please demonize her now.

Why not be a nice auntie and help her out? Charity begins as home, not at the government welfare office.

[lilpup]

At least one employer I know hires in part timers for 16-19 hrs/wk - no 20 hour guarantee, crappy pay [[and yet, if one does indeed need a 20 hour job, ineligible).

[ferntruth]

Well, making under 18,000 a year really wasn't cutting it for me. I understand that it is optional and I also understand that places don't like to hire those that don't have some sort of degree anymore. Why would I choose to live in poverty when I can at the very least have a shot at something better? Aside from that, a college degree will allow me to get the hell out of this country and work overseas. So, it's worth it for that reason alone.

Many of you don't understand that not everyone can just go out and get a job. I need credentials and proof of my abilities. If I have a degree in accounting and a CPA license, I think that I'll be able to get a job in my field. I'm not going to school for some liberal arts crap. I am going to school to not be poor, so stop making assumptions.

So, you have no problem accepting assistance from the taxpayers of this country, so that you can finish school and "get the hell out of this country and work overseas"? Why exactly should the US taxpayers fund that?

[313WX]

What the hell is wrong with this state?

While cutting education funding forcing students to ante up more of their small loans/grants for a college education just to earn a living wage in this state, they also snatch away food stamps in a heartbeat from these same college students who are already struggling working part-time McJobs and using whatever's left of their loans/grants [[I doubt much). Yet and still they couldn't do nothing about the Millionare in Midland who's on food stamps.

[Baselinepunk]

As part of the new debt deal passed last week, there will be no more subsidized Staffords for Graduate and Professional education students.

Existing loans will not be affected.

I [[and a ton of other students) are paying an additional 1% interest per the "Deficit Reduction Act" care of BushCo.

[JBMcB]

My niece was on them for a while - she was a full time student, working 2 retails jobs, and couldn't make ends meet no matter how hard her frugal little ass tried - please demonize her now.

I worked, and paid, my way through college. No food stamps. Went to a cheap college, but it was what I could afford.

[Kevgoblue]

For those legitamately needing assistance, I would consider an EBT card to be a minimal investment in the future.

What needs to be addressed is those exploiting the system. I graduated right around the time the Stroh's Riverplace opened up. I recall meeting other young people living there who were occupying subsidized units [[as all housing developments which accept gov't money must have a certain number of units set aside for low income people). The problem was a vast majority of them were college students. And driving new cars. And had parents who lived in the Pointe's [[or other prosperous areas). Parents who still financially supported them.

[Jason]

If you're older maybe because of your job experience you don't need a degree, but today if you don't have a degree you'll be doing McDonalds for your entire live. Not only that, but the economy is crumbling and the income gap is rising, meaning that if you're in the bottom half today, you can expect to be poorer in the future.

Without a degree kids today are almost guaranteed to be poor for their entire lives.


Also, right now it's hard for anyone at all to get a job. Professionals with decades of experience have been getting fired left and right in many industries.

Employers don't want to hire someone with limited availability, who's going to quit in a few years anyway. So college students and high school students aren't going to get those jobs.

People in their 20s [[probably don't have families to support) who aren't in college get those jobs because they have better availability, they're going to stay at that job forever, and because they probably have more job experience in their "field" since they've worked full time continuously, without any breaks or reduced hours for school. They're genuinely better picks for the jobs, which is why they get hired.

It's hard for recent grads too, because they're competing with all of the experienced people in their field who got fired, in addition to all of the other recent grads.


I think a few years of welfare, for decades of an educated professional contributing to the economy is better then a decade or two of no welfare, followed by a few decades of welfare because mcdonalds doesn't pay enough to support a family and that's the only place that will hire you. In fact I think just the taxes alone from the higher earning college graduate will more than make up for the welfare expenses in the long term.

[oldredfordette]

I support my niece every chance I get, but she took the food stamps until she didn't need them anymore. Every single person on assistance has a story, you mean spirited, cheap evil people.

[Meddle]

If you're older maybe because of your job experience you don't need a degree, but today if you don't have a degree you'll be doing McDonalds for your entire live. Not only that, but the economy is crumbling and the income gap is rising, meaning that if you're in the bottom half today, you can expect to be poorer in the future.

Without a degree kids today are almost guaranteed to be poor for their entire lives.

That's propaganda circulated by the educational system out to ensure people will be perpetual students and keep giving money to them. This has created the society so many are complaining about - everybody has a degree, so degrees don't mean anything any more.

Not everybody needs a degree. They should only be for certain specialty fields.

Academia wants job security and college Chancellors want cushier homes and cars so they continue to con people into believing they need degrees to flip burgers.

[wolverine]

Sorry, college students shouldn't get them.

I managed to get by with student loans and working a part time job. Even 20 hours / week minimum wage should be sufficient to cover rent in most places, food, and weekends out with friends budget. I know plenty of people using food stamps during college and they joked about it, they didn't take the program seriously as they should have, when I know there's people out there who really need it. Even worse were they were willing to pay for services like cable and internet when they could have used the schools public computers, or had no problem paying for car insurance for the vehicle they barely ever drove. I had none of those things because rent and food came first. So forgive me if I feel bitter of the whole idea, and trust me, my family is no stranger to food stamps.

College is a big financial decision, like buying a car or house. Either you have the backing from your parents and/or backing from scholarships, grants, and loans, and/or backing with a good full time job. If you are unemployed, or under employed do not go to college if you have no certainty for paying for it. Some people think that's the only key to finally getting a good job which is b/s. Get good work to support yourself, then go to school.


I could tell stories of people who came to this country with NOTHING, no money and could barely speak english. Got a crap job, but saved up some cash to allow them to get by through school. Took out loans to finance school, and continued working while taking classes. Some got jobs right away, some it took a year, but they are paying off their loans and didn't need these food stamps, it never crossed their mind that they were even available.

[bartock]

I support my niece every chance I get, but she took the food stamps until she didn't need them anymore. Every single person on assistance has a story, you mean spirited, cheap evil people.

And some stories are simply that people are getting over.

Nobody has suggested that single mothers going to school should be denied a bridge card. This is a fantasy that you've concocted.

A couple of people have pointed out that they struggled and made it through without food stamps.

One in particular pointed out that she did it as a single mother and put herself through school.

She didn't say that single mothers shouldn't receive bridge cards. You made that up. You should be complimenting her, yet you call her mean-spirited.

People who call other people mean-spirited are cheap, cold, heartless, mean and double-evil. No, triple-evil.

[Scottathew]

My wife and I had full time jobs while we put ourselves through college. We paid for our own food.