No Home

“Homeless on campus,” an article by Elanor J. Bader, acknowledges that colleges across the United States do not offer a reprieve for students who are homeless. Bader claims colleges should have a variety of ways to assist students seeking a higher education to provide a better way for themselves or their families.Bader uses information collected in a 2003 survey by Jenn Hecker, stating that housing cost on the rise are a problem; the survey states the average income needed to attain a two bedroom apartment is $15.21, almost three times the minimum wage.

In an interview with Beth Kelly, Bader notes Kelly saying, “In any given semester, there are four or five families where the head of household is in college.” Bader acknowledges a report from advocates for the homeless stating, “There are countless examples of students sleeping in their cars and sneaking into the school gym to shower and change clothes. Good samaritans speak of students who couch surf or sleep in the woods-bicycling or walking to class-during temperate weather.

Bader’s article implies that there are no statistics done on homeless college students. Many people overlook the homeless population on campuses. Bader’s article points out that colleges are not ensuring students are getting the assistance they need. Bader uses excerpts from student’s interviews: “ The school should do more,” says Aesha, who points out how having a daycare on campus that would help children ranging from newborn and up would have helped her tremendously.

Bader asserts, a majority of the complication is the demographics of attending a college has changed. Bader uses information from Andrea Leskes, who says, “Most educational institutions were set up to serve fewer less diverse, more privileged students.”Although Bader’s claim has some flaws, she emphasizes key problems for students attending college without a home to return to.

For instance, students who wish to attain a higher education must consider the cost of living at and around the college of the students’ choice. College students now need a job that pays at least $15.21 to cover the cost of a two bedroom apartment. Students in many states are scrounging to pay for housing (694), as a student who knows the struggle of attending college full time and trying to manage financial needs to run a household, I can agree that rising housing cost leads to many students being homeless.

At the local community college that I attend, college dorms are three bedrooms and cost $1600.00 a month. If a person was to live in the dorm alone, that leaves quite a load to carry for any young student. However, when the cost is split between three people, it lowers to almost $540.00 a month. This rate is far more manageable, yet as a college student and a mother of three, I understand this cost is still far too much to ask of a person with little income. Not every person qualifies for assistance on the same level. For each student the loans and grants, if they qualify, are at a different rate. Students from a lower income should have the same access to resources for assistance and housing.

As a result of being homeless, students' grades tend to drop, or much worse, the students drop out of class completely (697). Homeless among college students does affect the studies and even attendance of students in college. Because homeless students can’t properly care for their hygenical needs, studies, or eat properly, the academics tend to falter. A person's outward and inward image affects one’s self esteem and those who are around him or her on a daily basis. Homeless students don’t have access to the daily amenities that too many people take for granted.

For instance, brushing one’s teeth, bathing, clothes being properly washed, a simple tube of deodorant, even all of these things could lead to one being so self-conscious that he or she stops attending class altogether. Without a place to properly study, students’ grades begin to suffer. The hustle and bustle of everyday life living on the streets is very distracting for many students. Finding a focal point within the daily life of others while sitting on the ground with college books splayed out in front of oneself is no way to ever expect to study and pass any college class.

Eating right is so important to one's success while in college. Consuming little to no food will hurt one’s ability to focus, comprehend, process, and remember . Homeless students do not have a way to prepare hot meals. Most homeless students don’t even have access financially to prepare food. Having no access financially and no way to prepare food for oneself does and will lead to one's grades suffering and the student potentially dropping out of school.

Accordingly, colleges should offer more financial assistance to the students, lessening the amount of homeless attendees and college dropouts (695). Effectively assisting college students would create a greater academic success among the college students. Financial aid and grants are a magnificent way to bring the homeless students back to self reliant. Increasing the amount given would not just pay for tuition, but also provide a way to live for many students that are on the brink.

Some students take on so many classes in a semester in an attempt to complete college faster that they do not have a way to work and provide for their families and themselves. Raising the amount of grants and aid would alleviate the struggle and keep students grades up, as this would give them a quiet place to study and a place to rest at night, effectively keeping students enrolled and on their way to completing the desired degree.

Emphasizing key problems for students attending college without a home to return to , Bader’s claim still shows some inconsistencies. Paying closer attention to students’ needs would raise the overall attendance and grade of the college. Providing readily accessible assistance to students in need will drastically lessen the amount of homeless students on campuses across the country. As a nation it is our responsibility to ensure everyone has the same chance as other more privileged students.

Works Cited

Bader, Elanor J. “Homeless on Campus.” The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings and Handbook ED. Richard Bullock, Maureen Daly Goggin, and Francine Weinberg. New York: W W Norton and Company, 2013. 693-697. Print.