re: College Poverty Stories

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There were times I would have one meal at the catholic center, one meal at the baptist center, etc.

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Love how some baptist reading the thread got offended and downvoted this.

Did 6 years with no debt and parents didn’t pay for anything. Years 1-3 were pretty brutal.

I had a variation of 3 to 21 hour semesters in there. Got married at 21 so I could start getting better scholarships. Stupidly, I got married January 1. Couldn’t apply for anything till the next year because the entire year before that I was still a “dependent”

Last year and a half wasn’t bad because I got my grades up enough to get a local scholarship as well as qualify for Pell Grant.

As far as poverty moments:

60+ hour work weeks across 3 jobs. My sophomore year I got a job at school. That helped with gas a lot. 6 months later I got a promotion that paid $9 an hour that let me drop the other jobs. Back in 2002 it was good money.

3 days without eating. Probably half a dozen times I attended every church function possible because they always had food.

One week I had a an unexpected car repair, rent, and tuition payment due on the same week. Completely emptied my savings. I kept $30 to get gas (back in the good days when it was $1 a gallon) and buy a $1 burger at Burger King to eat every other day for 2 weeks till my next paycheck.

Showered at college gym to save on water bill for the better part of a year.

Used Computer labs exclusively because I couldn’t afford internet.

Slept in my car more than I’m proud to say.

Shopped at goodwill exclusively.

Didn’t buy books for 90% of my classes because I couldn’t afford tuition and room and board with books.


What’s funny about the whole thing is that my last year I qualified for scholarships and grants and got money back. Then, where I attended had a cool policy that if you graduated at exactly the 130 hour requirement with no outstanding debt and dropped less than 6 hours your entire time there, they gave you a $2k grant. Was a nice bonus for the time.

I really didn't know how good I had it...my LSU senior year was a lot of fun...

remember, spring 1975 tuition and fees were less than $200- per semester...

anyway, I was on the GI Bill getting $270- per month, after Advanced Camp I got a 1 ROTC year scholarship which paid my tuition, books, supplies, plus the $100- per month stipend...

then Plaquemines Parish was throwing $50- every 9 weeks, if I'd worked a little harder on my grades it would have been $100-

then I had a summer/holiday job over on Peters Road in Harvey...

I lived good...and never realized at the time how well I had it...

I’m in awe reading that other people went through the same shite I did, but look back on it with fond memories and not a lot of regret.


Which makes me want to choke out bitches that say the phrase “student loan forgiveness.”

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I could easily go back to that life if it was just me and I often wonder how much money I would have if I did but with a wife and 3 kids, it ain't happening.

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Always wondered if "testing the fam" for a few months would be a good reality check for kids that havent had to worry about it.

I went out of state. Got cut off after the first year, due to grades. I could have come home, lived locally, and still be on my parents dime....even go to SMU. But if I went back I would be on my own...yeah I was cocky thinking it was no big deal....lot harder than expected, and taught me a lot of lessens. Many described in this thread. Definitely changed me. Majority for the good, with a few not so great (but not bad).

I know fraternities get beat up on here, but probably couldnt have gotten thru it if I hadnt made that call. Some could say I wouldn't have been in the position if I hadnt either. Ha. But I was able to live in the house, with a food plan, for a lot cheaper than I would have if I didn't have that option.

Coinstar

buying a Little Cesar's $5 Hot N' Ready every two days and eating the left overs on the off days, $15 food for the week

I thought i had $30 in my checking account so i bought MCdonalds hot and spicy 5 different times. Ended up only having 3 dollars so i overdrew several times...

I currently eat Ramen and PB&Js almost every day.

I went to Walmart last night and got a 30 pack of Miller Highlife and a box of chardonnay so we are living good now!

My buddy and I collected change to split a .49 cent taco at Taco Bell (yes they were that cheap). He also used to bang this girl if she brought us pizza and beer. She got hip to it and started bringing us those terrible Totino’s pizzas.