When asked by her friends to go out to dinner or see a movie, Daryll now has to think twice before saying yes.
This is because she, along with other Fairfield students, has faced a drastic cut in her campus work-study hours.
“I was able to work 10 to 12 hours per week my freshman and sophomore years,” says Daryll Fay ’13. “But now my work-study allowance only allows me five to six.”
The Federal Work-Study Program, funded by both government and university, offers part-time employment to undergraduates in need to help afford educational expenses. Students are notified of their award each year after demonstrating eligibility and meeting all filing deadlines.
But due to the increasing absence of federal funding, over 160,000 work-study jobs have been removed nationwide, according to U.S. News and World Report. Many universities have been forced to make huge cuts in this program as a result.
Fairfield, a school once considered quite generous in financial aid offerings, appears to be no different. Of eight students surveyed, seven have encountered notable cuts in their work-study hours since May 2011.
“I came in freshman year and was given a work study balance of $2000,” says Samantha Bacque ’12. “I made close to if not all of that money, but the following year it was cut to $1500. As a senior, my award is now $700.”
Yet the students are not the only party affected. Offices that came to rely on the extra help the program offers them have been experiencing setbacks as well.
“The cut in work-study hours affected our front desk coverage,” says Angelica Joy Concepcion, an Area Coordinator in charge of the program for Office of Residence Life. “[After the cuts] it was a little tough to make sure we had front desk coverage. Some Area Coordinators would skip lunch to make sure we had it and try to do their work at the front desk.”
Numerous departments at Fairfield have been forced to hire fewer students and cut the hours of those who do work. But the impact the administration feels does not compare to that of the students who depend on this program, according to Concepcion.
“Having two other paid campus jobs prior to the cuts, I considered stopping one of them since three jobs is a lot to handle on top of five or six classes,” says Fay. “But I had to keep them both because I needed the extra money they bring in.”
Others surveyed mentioned taking out loans to pay for supplies and groceries, putting their names on the Fairfield babysitting list in hopes for a call and relying on the money their parents could give them after the cuts were made.
“Not having any income is difficult,” says Bacque. “Doing things like shopping with my roommate or going out to eat are definitely some things I cannot do as much.”
But things may get better. Fairfield’s Office of Financial Aid acknowledges the problem and has been attempting efforts for improvement.
“After a review of fall FWS (Fairfield Work Study) earnings, we were able to increase awards for some high need students,” says FWS Administrator Kimberly Droniak. “We also completed a second FWS earnings review in January and increased awards for even more students.”
With all students experiencing cuts in funding, requests received from both supervisors and students were considered for the awards, according to Droniak. Students are able to inquire with the office on their own if they wish to receive more allowance.
“I don’t know much about the whole situation, but from what I understand it was the government who cut the amount of aid given so I don’t think it was really Fairfield’s fault,” says Jennifer Labbadia ’13. “I wouldn’t be going to Fairfield if it wasn’t for the amount of aid I was given and I am thankful for that everyday.”
Yet students greatly affected by this would like to see big changes in 2013.
The Office of Financial Aid is still unsure of exact awards for next year at this time, according to Droniak. They will be sent electronically to all returning students in the third week of May.
Leave a Reply