Now more than ever, undergraduate students are becoming student employees to help defray college costs, according to a study released by the American Council on Education, and the trend is being followed here at Boston College.
"I would definitely say there have been more student [employees] in the last couple of years," said Leslie Marini, administrative coordinator at O'Neill Library, one of BC campus' largest student employers. "We get many more applications now." Marini said she received more than 250 applications this year for 160 open positions.
According to the American Council on Education as reported recently in USA Today, 77 percent of undergraduates hold jobs. In 2000, BC gave 3,145 work study awards, totaling $1,664,000. This is a jump from the 1,136 awards given out in 1995. The students offered work study packages in 2000 represented more than a third of all undergraduates. This figure does not take into account students without work study who work on or off campus to help defer the cost of tuition and other college expenses.
It appears that while many BC students do work, most do not use the money directly for tuition, but rather for the other costs incurred while attending college.
"If I didn't get financial aid I wouldn't be able to go to school here," said Thamarah Crevecoeur, A&S '06. Crevecoeur, the daughter of a Haitian immigrant, works eight hours a week at the Eagle's Nest Deli to earn money for things like laundry, food, and clothing.
Pia Layon, CSOM '06, a work study employee at O'Neill Library, said she uses the money she earns to pay for whatever she needs on campus, including textbooks and food. She said the $1,600 she expects to earn by the end of the year isn't enough to even help with tuition, but it does help with other expenses, and lessens the financial strain college has placed on her parents.
"I don't feel like I need to work," said Chris Pavlow, A&S '06. He said he earned enough money last summer that he did not need to work during the academic year. Pavlow said he tried to fit working into his schedule but it was impossible. "I like to dedicate myself to schoolwork and relaxing in between. I spend money cautiously." Pavlow said that financial aid from BC and other sources makes it possible for his family to afford tuition.
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