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Clark Atlanta University The Panther April 15-30, 2017 5 Rising tuition causes many students to resort to alternative methods to fund education By Alysha Conner Tuition and fees have steadily increased and added to cost of attendance over the years at the campuses of the Atlanta University Center. Clark Atlanta University's current cost of attendance is around $35,000 a year. Spelman College and Morehouse college cost of attendance is nearly $45,000. This year, the campuses of the AUC required all students, traveling and non-traveling, to pay for a meal plan. The mandatory meal plan is an additional $500 a year. Many upperclassmen are not too happy about the additional fee. Compared to the average private not-for-profit four-year college in Georgia, $21.000, the AUC is more expensive. According to U.S. News & World Report, 96.5 percent of students applied for need base aid. Only 39.7 percent of the students' needs were fully met. Traditionally, an undergraduate student is a teenager who is a recent high school graduate. Considering he or she had the privilege of obtaining a scholarship or other outside sources of financial assistance, all the necessary financial funds to attend a higher education institute, such that of the schools in the AUC, takes a considerable amount effort to earn. For those students who are fortunate enough to know Salle Mae or other loan companies, they will have to face the inevitable dilemma of paying back the loan after their matriculation in college. The transition after college can be a struggle. After four or more years of learning and planning, the execution to manifest all that one has strived for may still take time. While striving to find their way in the world, they must always find the to pay back their student loans. It is like a never-ending cycle, all for young adults that are just trying to work to be competitive and successful in their career field. Funds can be hard to acquire right after graduation. By the time students’ graduate, they will be in thousands of dollars of debit. According to the Student Loan Hero: “It’s 2017 and Americans are more burdened by student loan debt than ever. You've probably heard the statistics: Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, spread out among about 44 million borrowers. In fact, the average Class of 2016 graduate has $37,172 in student loan debt, up six percent from last year.” More statistics given by Student Loan Hero indicate that total U.S. student loan debt is extremely hgh. There are 44.2 million Americans with student loan debt. For borrowers aged 20 to 30 years, the average monthly student loan payment is $351. Young adults at that age are trying to find their way after just completing school, and trying to start their careers. Entitled to pay $351 in student loans a month, right after college puts students in a compromising financial matter. This has lead to the current student loan delinquency rate being 11.0 percent. Jordan Barry, sophomore Mass Media Arts student at CAU, said, "In life, you will always be in debt for something. You may not go to school but you still have to survive and live. You may get a car or a house or a credit card. All those things do not hold value over time but an investment in your education does not depreciate!” Though students may uphold a part-time job while in school, it is unlikely to be able to to save as much as what is needed to have a stable living and be able to repay student loans with interest. Even the money saved while working a part-time job in college could put a student at risk in terms of his or her education. In the American Educa- Sodexo Global Chef Nicolas Martinez visited Clark Atlanta University last month to share the flavors of Chile to the students at CAU. “The flavor of my country is the flavor of the people there: the recipes and the history of my country,” Chef Martinez said. In the private dinner, Martinez presented the foods of his culture, which consisted of a large variety of seafood. The dishes included dressing, salami, Chilean shrimp, marinated salmon, clams, and lamb covered with Chilean spices. On the following day, Martinez prepared and served the Chilean dishes at a station in Crogman Eatery for approximately 25 students, faculty and staff. “Spreading my culture is important because it represents my home and the people of all generations because my culture is tional Research Journal, Kleitman Marsh wrote: “As students work longer hours, they achieve at lower levels academically, are more likely to engage in negative behaviors, have lower academic and career aspirations, and are less likely to hold leadership positions, engage in extracurricular activities, and attend or stay in college. These negative effects are persistent across gender groups, racial groups, differing socioeconomic status levels, and academic abilities." CBS News reported, “A new U.S. Census report determined that 71 percent of the nation’s 19.7 million college undergraduates were working in 2011. Of that number, one in five undergrads were working at least 35 hours a week year-round.” Bria Rankin, senior Broadcast and Film major at CAU, said: “I was offered a job through the city of Atlanta in which my dad works. Luckily I didn’t have to do much and one was just put into my lap. It definitely can be hard juggling the two. Especially when you have bills to pay at the age I am. I encourage any and every student who is in school to get through those four years as fast as you can because balancing it all can be challenging.” Many students are facing financial responsibilities from all other sources other than tuition. different than it is here. Cooking is a large part of how I show what my culture is all about,” Chef Martinez said. “This university is beautiful, to me it is a true pleasure to be cooking for the students, and it is an honor for me cooking my recipes, and my flavor while Students are responsible for book fees, equipment for school based needs (depending on their major), and simply for lifestyle needs. In some students’ cases, they are responsible for paying expenses for: rent, utilities, car note, gas, food or even raising a child. As time evolves, tuition prices rise, and so does the cost of living. Maintaining lifestyles needs all while trying to uphold finances for educational purposes, is the circumstance for many college students today. It has led to students taking matters into their own hands for their ambition for higher education. Jobs obtained by college students while in school vary from all different fields. Some of them include: retail sales, food service, teaching or more popular here in Atlanta is working at strip clubs. Though the students in the AUC work in different industries, they all possess the same goal. That is, to be able to earn funds that will help them maintain life in college. Ivy Gopaul, recent CAU Mass Media Arts graduate, said, “All I can really say is just be prepared for all possible outcomes when it comes to paying back your student loans and make sure you set yourself up so that you don’t have to worry too much about things like that.” representing my country,” he added. With the cafeteria flowing with an ample amount of students from 11-2 p.m., Martinez was able to add to the students’ daily food selection, while introducing them to Chile’s culture through the food and fun facts placed around the station. Chef shares Chilean dishes with students, faculty By Alana Howard Sodexo Global Chef Nicholas Martinez (right) shows off his culinary skills.