The rising cost of living continues to place financial strain on college students across the country, and students at Florida A&M University are no exception. From increasing rent prices to higher grocery costs, many students are finding it difficult to balance academic responsibilities with the need to support themselves financially. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has impacted essential goods such as food and housing, making it harder for young adults to maintain financial stability while in school.
Kendra Polk, a fourth-year animal science industry major, spoke about how unrealistic the standards are to get help as a student in this rapidly rising economy.
“No, there aren’t enough resources to keep up with the cost of living. I take 16 credit hours, but you have to work 20 just to get food stamps. You want me to work 20 hours just to eat? That’s ridiculous,” Polk said.
According to the US Government Accountability Office, nearly 25% of college students report experiencing food insecurity. Meaning they do not have consistent access to enough food while in school. At the same time, strict SNAP requirements such as working at least 20 hours a week and other eligibility barriers prevent many students from receiving benefits, leaving millions without the support. McKenzie Moore, a third-year pre-veterinary medicine major from Tallahassee, FL, shared her opinion on the struggle of surviving in today’s economy.
“ I am about to have four jobs right now just to live a sustainable life. That is absolutely ridiculous and I feel like it’s so unfair to us as students to expect for us to balance so much.”
Many college students are working multiple jobs to keep up with rising living costs, which can take time away from studying and academic success. Research shows that students who work long hours are more likely to experience burnout and have lower academic performance due to the difficulty of balancing work and school responsibilities.
Anaiyah Harper, a fourth-year education major from Jacksonville, FL, shared her perspective on the resources available to students.
“Students truly do not have enough resources to combat all the things that are thrown our way financially. It’s definitely disheartening when we also aren’t met with empathy or understanding when we truly are juggling a lot.”
Harper’s perspective reflects a growing concern among students who feel unsupported as they try to manage both academic and financial pressures. As the cost of living continues to rise, many are calling for more accessible resources and greater understanding from institutions to ensure students are not left struggling to succeed.
