COS students are being faced with an increasing number of difficulties and expenses with every budget reduction.
Between classes being cut, universities closing their doors to under-classmen, and stricter financial aid guidelines, students are suffering along with America’s economy.
Sophomore Emily Seaward, a Vocal Music Major, has an exceptionally busy schedule as she tries to attain enough units to transfer to Fresno State next semester. She is undertaking 22 units this semester.
“It’s been extremely hard to get all my classes in two years. It’s nearly impossible,” says Seaward.
During her four semesters at COS, she has never received financial aid due to ineligibility. When asked about the process of receiving financial aid, she emphatically stated several reasons she finds the whole system frustrating.
“I know a lot of people who would use it wisely and don’t get it. If you fail all of your classes, I don’t think the government should pay for you to keep failing.” Seaward expressed a desire to see eligibility requirements strongly based on each student’s GPA.
It has been quite a roller-coaster ride for Seaward in her attempt to transfer to Fresno State. Right now, she is in the process of trying to get one of her class requirements waved because she received incorrect information from a counselor.
“I had mixed advice from counselors about what transfers and what doesn’t.” After this semester, she will have completed all her transfer requirements except for a single nontransferable class. She was told by a counselor that Fresno State would accept a summer class she took, but Fresno State says it it does not.
Seaward recommends that students have a basic knowledge of what they need to take before they see a counselor.
“Get a plan right away. Make sure [you] know what [you] are talking about.” She also advises students to talk to a counselor from their college of transfer to confirm that they are receiving the same information from both colleges.
Despite the bumps in her road to transferring, Seaward has enthusiastically enjoyed the music program at COS.
“They are one of the few community colleges that have the music program set up at COS [in a way that will] prepare you for a university.”
Even though there are many mountains to climb throughout the college experience, students should stay motivated and keep working hard. Eventually, it will pay off!