Students torn between work and school

Businesses should ease stress by helping with college costs

Having a job and going to school full-time can be very stressful, especially when a full-time student has a full-time job and family.

Many students at JCC must rely on their jobs to have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. And if they have kids, they probably can't do it alone.

Sherilyn Lewan attends school part-time and works 30 to 35 hours a week. At 25, she makes just enough to pay for all of her tuition, books and her daughter. She spends about $40 a week for food, gas, etc.

"My parents watch my daughter, which really helps," she said.

Another student, Shavonie Baltimore, 22, works part-time and goes to school part-time. She lives with her boyfriend and child. He works full-time and she receives Pell grants and student loans.

"Gas prices are what's killing me," she said.

Jason Clemons, 26, works and goes to school part-time. He is married with four kids, and his wife works a full-time job. He receives help from Pell grants as well as student loans.

Chelsea Rose, 25, goes to school part-time and works two jobs at 40 hours a week. She supports herself and her child.

"It's very stressful. I can't wait to be finished (with school)," Rose said.

Even students without children, or those whose kids are on their own, can struggle with school costs and balancing hours between work and college.

Brenton Grove, 19, gets help from his parents in two ways. He lives with them.

"I work for my father's company, which pays for school," he said.

Michele Merrill, 19, had to quit her job to go back to school. She lives with her parents and doesn't drive, so she rides the bus to and from school.

"I worked over the summer and gave all my money to my mom, so she helps me out," she said.

She also has scholarships to help with the financial burden.

Dave White, 40, works as a tutor in the Center for Student Success, relying on Stafford loans to pay his living expenses and Pell grants to cover his class and book fees. All he has to worry about is gas, food and insurance, he said.

Jim Sobush, 45, said he worked hard for a long time to become financially stable. He took a large pay cut when Michigan State University laid him off, but he receives free schooling because he used to work for MSU.

That's one way companies in America could improve the lives and skills of workers. Paying for college makes workers smarter, more efficient and more valuable to the company and the community.