UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, June 15, 1994
7
Money: Students rely on welfare, determination
Continued from Page 1.
"But now everything's gone."
Since it will be Poling's fifth year as a student, she will lose four-year scholarships next year.
Although she said her mother helps when she can, Poling said she worked about 30 hours a week, as a desk assistant at Lewis Hall and a volleyball official for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She also takes about 15 hours a semester toward a premed major and plans to attend medical school.
In order to cut back on costs, Poling is working at home this summer and will move off-campus in the fall.
"It should cost less, or at least I'll break even with what I'm paying now for student housing," she said. "Why should housing go up? The building is paid for, and utilities don't go up $30 per person a month."
Despite her move to cheaper housing, Poling said she will be forced to take student loans to survive in the fall.
"Everyone I talk to is surprised I didn't have any loans yet," she said. "I went four years without being in debt. I feel damn lucky."
$$$
Like Poling, for most students, the loans are paying the bills.
Financially strapped, even at $30,000 a year, Mike and Natalie Austin decided a college education could be their way out to a better life.
"Without a degree you can't get anywhere," said Mike Austin, Lawrence junior. "Too many doors shut on you."
The family moved here in August from New Jersey in search of a better, cheaper life. But Natalie Austin could not find any higher-paying work than
waiting tables in the evenings.
"We can't afford day care," she said.
"It's $000 a month!"
Their three sons — aged 6 years, 4 years and 21 months — are on the 150-child waiting list for Hilltop, but an opening for them could take as long as a year and a half, said Andi Fishman Pollack, Hilltop's director.
Rather than have a second paycheck eaten by day care, Mike Austin takes classes during the day and watches the children at night.
"We're really squeaking by," he said. "We have loans but there's no other way to do it."
Austin suffers from the Catch-22 of a college education: Stopping school means the student loans need to be paid back. So students stay in school and take out more loans. Even though their qualifications and expectations rise, their incomes don't, and students slide further and further into debt.
The Austins slid into the welfare system and receive food stamps.
"Before the medical cards came in February, I went to Health Care Access, where it's only about $5," Natalie Austin said. "We got the kid's shots for free at the health department. I was fortunate. I found all the things that are accessible to a person in my income category."
"I like the Midwest," he said. "We're here to stay."
Austin is trying to qualify for in-state tuition next fall.
Natalie Austin said she plans to study to be a dietitian when her youngest son is about 3 years old.
"Still, we have barely enough money," Mike Austin said. "The bills are paid; we're not starving."
the ideal is to have the financial aid pay for rent and budget for food and
Source; Office of Institutional Research and Planning
Dave Campbell / KANSAN
utilities," Mike Austin said. "But if anything unexpected happens, we're in trouble."
$$$
Her husband in class, Natalie Austin, exhausted, sighs and sits on the sofa. It is only 10 a.m.
"My day begins at 6:30 a.m., and I have to drop one kid off at 8... Then I work from 5:30 to 11 or 12 every night except Monday or Tuesday," she says. Her three sons are running through the apartment. Each trip into the living room brings new toys.
"Each time I go upstairs take something up," she says, shaking her head.
"But they keep bringing stuff back in." She can see one positive aspect to working at night while her husband takes classes during the day.
"That way I won't take away from his time," she says, pointing at the youngest. "I think it's important."
Finally, frustrated by the mess, she tells the boys:
"OK. Let's play a game. Whoever picks up the most toys wins."
"I got a game! Let's bring all the toys downstairs."
Her four-year-old replies:
Natalie Austin just shakes her head and laughs.
"It'll be easier next year with him in kindergarten," she said.
Dig deeper? Tuition increase proposed
By Angle Dasbach Kansan staff writer
A proposed tuition increase could take a toll on non-resident KU students.
The proposal, which will come before the Board of Regents on June 30, would increase tuition by 7 percent for the 1995-96 academic year. This raise is in addition to a 13-percent increase for non-resident fees and a five-percent increase for residents that have been approved for next fall.
John Shoemaker, former student body president, said a tuition increase was needed to fund the kind of education that the University of Kansas provides.
"Students are the major benefactors," he said. "We need to put our money where our mouth is to maintain the kind of quality education that students want."
Shoermaker said that he was concerned for students who would have to undergo a dramatic change in lifestyles to afford tuition. He said that he and Chancellor Budig had previously discussed the effects of raising tuition, and that steps were taken to prevent students from having to drop out of college.
He said that the majority of students would not be affected greatly by the increase.
Those most affected by the raises, Shoemaker said, are minority and non-traditional students.
"What this means for most students is a few less beers at Louise's
West." he said.
Ray Hauke, director of planning and budget for the Regents, said that the proposed increase would provide funding for programs and faculty salaries. The increase was also needed, he said, to keep KU's tuition rates and revenues close to that of its peer institutions.
Hauke said that the proposal was drafted by a committee on fees and tuition, which was composed of two to three regents, two university presidents and two student body presidents.
The committee also proposed a 7-percent tuition increase at Kansas State University; a 5-percent increase at Wichita State University; and a 3-percent increase at Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University. All increases were based on resident tuition rates.
Tuition for out-of-state students would increase 7 percent, regardless which school students attend.
According to the Office of Institutional research and Planning, 34 percent of KU students last fall were from out-of-state.
Budig expressed concern about the effects of increases on non-residents. He told the Wichita Eagle that the board should watch the tuition levels and keep in mind that continued increases could result in fewer out-of-state students.
"It is important at a major research university that we have that component well represented," he said.
NATURAL WAY
If my roommate moves out, do I have to pay all the rent?
Yes, under most leases.
Legal Services for Students
148 Burge
864-5665
STUDENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLN
SENATE
Red Lyon Tavern
Atouch of Irish in downtown Lawrence
944 Mass.
832-8228
842*2992
<