Megan PellegrinoThe economic stimulus bill passed by President Obama will not only aid in the creation of jobs for the average working class American, but more college students will reap the benefits of work-study positions.
Federal work-study aid of $200 million will be given to colleges and will affect an estimated 130,000 students. It is still uncertain whether this bill will affect Cabrini, but all money received will go directly to the work-study program.
“Our office can only assume that we will receive a portion of the increase in funding much like any other college or university.
Every year we are allocated funds by the federal government and we have consistently spent all these funds in the past few years on student wages,” Victoria Stozek, associate director of financial aid, said.
There are currently 180 stuwork-study positions. To be eligible for work study, one must have filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) and be determined as having need for the funds provided. Positions are limited because of the fixed amount of aid available to give out. Eligibility may vary due to a student’s year-to-year fluctuating financial circumstances and when their FASFA form was filled out.
“I have work study and I think it’s wonderful. It’s so much easier going to work right on campus,” Christina Garofolo, junior history and political science major, said.
Garofolo holds a position in the Dixon Center and thinks that the creation of more work-study jobs at Cabrini would be beneficial.
“If more positions could be created, then that would be great. Finding a job outside of school is tough, so work study seems like a great way to make extra cash without getting too overwhelmed,” Garofolo said.
Work-study positions at Cabrini pay between $7.25 and $8.75. Pay increase occurs when students remain in the same department each year.
“It provides the students with funds toward tuition and also gives them experience that they can put on their resume to help them find a job when they graduate,” Dr. Mary Harris, associate professor of business administration, said.
The passing of the stimulus bill aims to put the country in a direction towards economic stability.
It also aims to undo the damage created by the unsuccessful $170 billion Bush Tax Rebate Stimulus Plan, which did not produce economic growth.
“The stimulus package is a positive first step in relieving the economic crisis. The worst thing we could do would be to do nothing.
However, this package isn’t a permanent fix. The plan will create economic growth on the short term. The success of the plan will be based on whether we can achieve sustainable economic growth,” Erin McLaughlin, assistant professor of business administration, said.
Although the long-term effects of the stimulus remain undetermined, Americans and students are being given the tools to further their own financial situation and better the economy.
