One experience that I remember experiencing prejudice was when I first started college after high school. I was registering for financial aid and waiting for the results. I met with the financial aid officer and she told me that I did not qualify for much in the way of financial help. She told me it was because I was white. She said if I came back and was Native American, Black, or Hispanic she could help me.
I was completely floored. I could not believe that she just came right out and said that. I know many people thought like that but never would say it out loud. She was say that because I was white I did not need any help financially for school. My parents had two children in college and one more on the way. My parents were both teachers, we had no money. I was upset and depressed because I would not be able to attend college at that time. I was stuck in a minimum wage food service job that did not pay enough for me to even attend the community college.
In this situation the financial aid system needs to change. The need for help should be based not on race but on an individual needs assessment. We fill them out every year, it is called the FASFA. The financial aid system needs to look more closely at your ability to pay for school.
Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI had a similiar experience one time many years ago when I found myself in need of extra help. I had to move because the home I was renting was sold. I did not have money saved for a security deposit. I contacted a couple agencies which I was told could help. One agency gave me the run around for a long time. When I finally got through I was told I did not qualify. When I told them the agency which referred me said I did, she said there are not funds available for people like you. I asked what that meant and she said your not black or living in the projects. I was horrified! I was about to be homeless and did not qualify for help because I was not the right race. Thankfully when I told the first agency what happened they were able to help me. They told me they knew I would get turned down but had to get the denial letter in order to get their help. What a mess!
For your situation I have to say how wrong that person was! Federal and state financial aid for college is not based on race at all but financial need, which at times is not enough for some people. I had run our of financial aid but still had a course to complete. With some creativity from an advisor I was able to graduate without taking that course. I think your financial aid person just did not want to put more effort into helping you!
Meredith