UCD Student-Run Program Helps Alleviate Debt
DAVIS (CBS13) - Skyrocketing tuition costs are leaving more and more students struggling financially in college; but at UC Davis, a new effort is being organized by students to alleviate some of that burden.
For some UC Davis students when they think of college they think dollar signs.
"A lot of my friends are in tons of debt and they're working two or three jobs," said one UC Davis student.
And they are still not making ends meet. That's where We Are Aggie Pride comes in. The student run group at UC Davis helps give fellow peers a financial break.
"Students finding themselves in a pinch they've already exhausted all their other financial resources," said program volunteer Rajiv Narayan.
They still can't afford tuition, textbooks, or, in Barbara Bonaparte's case, rent when her roommate was forced to move back home.
"I had to take over both part of our rent so that was more money for me that I had to come out of pocket with," said Bonaparte.
She was $200 short and calling home for help wasn't an option.
"I have a mother, she's a single mother. It's hard to ask her for funds when she's struggling at home," said Bonaparte.
"They're really stressed out and really troubled by the fact that they can't even ask their parents sometimes, because they're going through financial difficulties as well," said program volunteer Sarah Hoover.
Students apply online and are chosen by an award director based upon several factors including need.
In the past month $16,000 has been split among 15 students.
Students say the number of applications has drastically increased just in the past week, proving there is a need and they are trying to meet it.
"At the end of the day we're students helping students and that's what we're about," said Narayan.
And Bonaparte is crossing her fingers she's one of them.
