Summer Savings Expectation

Paying for College
41

<p>Yes, lifeguarding makes for a great summer job. Both of my kids are lifeguarding while attending college. The City provided free training to them. </p>

<p>Our local YMCA also provides lifeguard certification for about $250 - but they only do it once a year, and you need to plan ahead to finish it before the summer hiring season.</p>

<p>The outdoor pools typically don’t open until June, which can provide a student with a little bit of time after exams to do something else. If my kids wanted to do some part-time lifeguarding at an indoor pool during the school year, that is also a possibility. </p>

<p>Once you get a certification, you may be able to find a job in another city if you are away for the summer. </p>

<p>Because their shifts are noon to 7 pm., my son has been able to do a part-time unpaid internship on some mornings, in addition to working full-time. It also gives them plenty of time to have a social life after work.</p>

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<p>As an HR Manager at a large retail store, I can tell you this is absolutely incorrect and merely a way to deflect your responsibilities to secure employment. The majority of part-time employees in my store (and my previous store before that from a different state and company) work more than 1 job. Many employers <em>are</em> willing to offer some flexibility - IF the employee is “worth it.” Meaning they are a hard worker and contribute a great deal during the hours they work. Also, hours very often rely on your productivity. If you’re not getting as many hours as someone else at your current part-time job, then it could be because your are lacking in some area and need to step up your game. If you’re getting as many hours as the other top employees, then the hours/payroll are simply not available to give you more. </p>

<p>Citing the articles above does NOTHING for you. You can gripe about it all you want here, but it will NOT change the expectation. I agree that it is unfair - but you know the expectation is there and now it is up to you to make it happen. So many other students do; it’s time to stop being bitter and catch up with the rest of them. A lot of good advice and ideas were given here; instead of trying to find a way of proving it all wrong, put that time and effort into meeting your expectation. You can apply for jobs back home before moving back home - most larger companies have online applications. Or you can grab a paper app at a local store to mail to the store local to your home. If you find a summer job and do very well, they will more than likely be happy to bring you back during winter and summer holidays each year; less training for them, which saves money and time. </p>

<p>Not to mention I don’t consider college kids “teens” anymore, even if you are 18 or 19 - you are legally an adult and are perfectly capable of securing employment. If the 14 year old girls at Rita’s each summer can do it, why can’t you?</p>

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<p>Simplystated,
Are you the student or the parent? Your profile says that you are 20 and the posts in this thread are from a student perspective but some of your other posts are from a parents perspective - one references having adult children.</p>

<p>Just trying to understand.</p>

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<p>This is a great thread! Someone said there was another like this? My daughter will face this next summer she is already lining up how she can apply while she’s away. She is 16 and quite a few of the employers were looking for older teens, but the plan is to start now.</p>

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<p>I did a quick tally of all the students I know, very few have full-time employment MOST have part-time employment. The articles were provided to substantiate my initial post that the summer expectation is high and not realistic.</p>

<p>Novalynnx,</p>

<p>I am not bitter or lazy. Who are you to assess how I feel? Who are you to attack me? It is very immature of you. </p>

<p>You can only speak to your willingness to negotiate hours with an employee. There are more students than there are jobs. I would suggest that you read the articles I posted. If you can find an article or any printed publication stating the opposite, I will gladly read it. </p>

<p>[Teen</a> Unemployment Rate Hits Depression-Era Numbers](<a href=“http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2013/07/08/Teen-Unemployment-Rate-Hits-Depression-Era-Numbers]Teen”>Teen Unemployment Rate Hits Depression-Era Numbers)</p>

<p>[A-10</a>. Unemployment rates by age, sex, and marital status, seasonally adjusted](<a href=“http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea10.htm]A-10”>http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea10.htm)</p>

<p>[Half</a> of college grads can’t find full-time jobs - CBS News](<a href=“http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57434159/half-of-college-grads-cant-find-full-time-jobs/]Half”>http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57434159/half-of-college-grads-cant-find-full-time-jobs/)</p>

<p>Article after article supports my claim. It is beyond me that some on this thread claim the opposite. The MAJORITY of students are not working 40hrs a week during the summer. The jobs are just not there.</p>

<p>My initial post was short and to the point…not a rant. I simply asked if the FA office would make an adjustment.</p>

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<p>Ok Simplystated, you are absolutely right. Although many students manage to put together multiple part-time jobs to meet their financial contributions, it will be impossible for you to do so. Also, appealing to the financial aid office to waive this requirement will not work. Apparently, you are screwed.</p>

<p>There, feel better?</p>

47

<p>First of all, I do not negotiate hours nor do I schedule associates. I am referring to all of the many managers I’ve worked with who are flexible, including from my own previous employers. I know how retail works. Second, I never called you lazy - I simply stated that instead of spending all of your time supporting your claims (which in the end will NOT change the requirement) you could spend that time in other more helpful ways. </p>

<p>I am not assessing how you *feel<a href=“as%20I%20clearly%20stated%20that%20I%20agree%20with%20your%20initial%20feelings”>/i</a>, I am assessing how you are behaving. Your actions to research articles and argue with everyone who is posting here isn’t getting you any closer to avoiding or meeting that contribution expectation. Maturity is taking responsibility for your choices. Choose to attend another school if you are not satisfied with your current aid and expectations.</p>

<p>…and the majority of students don’t necessarily need to work full-time. My school did not expect a contribution from me even though I did work 40 hours a week all through college, including semesters and vacation. Others have their way paid by their parents. Others choose to work, while others take out loans. </p>

<p>I don’t understand the point of posting those articles. Yes, go ahead and vent - but no matter how many articles you research and find, you are not going to change the policy. As thumper1 suggested - find a way to meet the expectation or determine that the school is unaffordable. Or borrow the money from relatives.</p>

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<p>I was just disputing the claim that ‘many’ is really a small percentage of students who meet their summer savings expectation by piggybacking part-time work. I never attacked anyone personally. I will take out a loan to make up the gap in my summer savings expectation.</p>

<p>JoBlue,</p>

<p>You can attack me all you want, it still does not change anything. I would suggest that you read my posts? You will see that I was merely making a point and asking a question. I received an answer from Thumper stating that the FA office would not be sympathetic, end of story. </p>

<p>The hostility on this thread is ridiculous.</p>

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<p>I agree with the OP – my son will not be able to get near the amount most aid offers expected for summer savings.</p>

<p>Our issues:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Male – girls around here seem to have a much easier time getting work.</p></li>
<li><p>Age – my son is not yet 18 and here that is a big difference between being hired and not being hired</p></li>
<li><p>Transportation – he doesn’t have his own car.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>His solution for the future is to look for REU/internships in all regions and not limit it to living at home. He is also understanding the need to network and let everyone – family, friend’s parents, neighbors – know he wants to work.</p>

<p>The malls closest to our home are VERY INflexible with students. Several stores give you 2 strikes on call ins – this is when another employees calls out and you are called in. If you do not show up, you are fired EVEN though you were never originally scheduled. So, I understand where the OP is coming from.</p>

<p>OP, it is obvious you are frustrated. But, please understand all regions are different. If your home area is not able to provide work, look for alternate methods. Pass out flyers for per diem cleaning work. Go to yard sales and buy and resell items on Craig’s List.</p>

<p>I have worked since I was 13. Not proud to say it, but those early years were due to lying about my age. Not advocating that, but just wanted you to know it is not just the current economy. Many of us parents found creative methods to earn money thru the decades.</p>

<p>If you play an instrument, advertise to give lessons.
If you are good with kids, offer tutoring services.</p>

50

<p>Well, I don’t know about other college kids and their exact situations, but I do whatever I can to make as much money as possible. </p>

<p>I work at a small business that allows me to work full-time when I can (summers, breaks) and part-time when I’m in school. I’ve been at this job since I’ve been 15, and I learned at an early age the value and importance of hard work. It involves manual labor and is very physical work (especially for a girl), but I’m truly a better person because of it. </p>

<p>I also babysit for relatives and family friends whenever they need a sitter. They usually give me between $10-$15 an hour, so it’s always worth my time. I watch neighbors’ pets when they’re away, I water people’s plants, I clean elderly people’s houses; I do everything and anything that can help, even if just a little bit. </p>

<p>What would be a ridiculous amount of expected savings? I dunno. It varies from person-to-person. I can swing the amount they put for books and miscellaneous expenses, and that seems reasonable to me. But any higher than 5k would get really difficult since I do help my mother out with household bills. </p>

<p>But this is just me. I have a steady job, and i know many others do not. I think colleges should consider the job market and work study if they’re to put forth some kind of summer savings expectation.</p>

<p>Is that just part of the student’s EFC?</p>

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<p>Finding summer jobs in our area has been difficult, too. Our dd had a part-time summer job last summer, but this year, because of getting home so late (end of May) because of her college schedule and then our son’s wedding, they had hired people who could start work in April (baseball stadium). She had already applied back in February and March, but it just did not work out. </p>

<p>It is not true that any kid who really wants to work can find a summer job here. There are enough adults to hire, and many places do not want just the short-term help for the summer.</p>

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<p>I would suggest looking for a job during the winter break. spring break is just too late.
There is also a disadvantage if you attend a college that starts in August and is on semesters instead of at the end of Sept & on qtrs. As summer jobs need someone for the whole summer.</p>

<p>It also will not help rising seniors unfortunately, but volunteering as soon as you are old enough to do so, ( my kids were 12 & 14) will give you work experience and references that you can parley into job offers as soon as you are old enough to be hired for pay.</p>

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<p>Back when I was in college I was unable to meet the summer earning requirement, so I opted to be homeless for a term in order to make up the expense. The expectation had been that I would be able to bring in 2,700 or so from summer employment. There had been an illness in my family that meant I could not work for a few weeks and that I lost my low cost summer housing. I had several friends who worked in Alaskan fisheries industry to earn their money. I had experience in construction and usually managed to earn enough that way until I advanced far enough in my studies to get positions in research labs.</p>

<p>I do think it is much harder now for college students to get jobs that will cover the expectations. My D had a hard time getting full time work this summer, and the part time scheduling was ridiculous (no consistency in the hours, mandatory call ins, last minute cancellations) in the end her high school employer hired her to fill in for vacations and she is getting overtime hours for the next 4 weeks. I worry she will be too tired once she gets to college. </p>

<p>I think that scheduling workers for fewer hours and more complex inconsistent schedules is the trend in retail work. I know when I was in college some students would combine a retail job in B-sitting to earn enough money over the summer, This does not work if the retail store provides inconsistent hours.</p>

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<p>OP, I sympathize. It’s tough to do the ‘cobbling together’. Depending on where you live, may be impossible. I’ve been thinking about it a lot watching my 2 teens get their first jobs this summer.</p>

<p>My 16 yo applied to literally dozens of places, and followed up with calls. He’s so clean cut, soccer, straight-A kid. I thought he’d get something easily. Just ONE place gave him a job, and it’s only 15 hours a week. He could be reffing soccer too, but is happy enough working part-time at the grocery. </p>

<p>My just graduated 18 yo daughter is trying to earn enough this summer to pay for her books/personal expenses at college. Never worked before as always had full schedule with music camps, other activities, family trips. </p>

<p>She got hired in mid-April at the first place she applied- a new grocery just built. Catch was she had to start many hours of training right away just when she needed to study for AP tests and had lots of concerts coming. She hadn’t planned to work before school was out, but worried she wouldn’t find anything else, so she killed herself those last few weeks.</p>

<p>Then she heard of another opening at a chain restaurant that has high turnover because of a ‘difficult’ owner, so picked up a waitress job there also, though she figured it might be unfun. Her thought was that it isn’t easy to find job when you’ve never worked before and employers know you are leaving in a couple months, so it’s best to just take any job you can for first job to get experience working and hope that translates into easier job hunt in the future. She juggles the 2 pretty well and gets 40 hours, but it could be awful and she is very tired and trying to fit in music practice in between. Already it’s a lot of hassle with transitions from one job to the other, often 2 short shifts in one day, keeping up with laundry and schedules, etc. </p>

<p>But we live in a fair sized city with lots of teen-type jobs. My kids found jobs that are 5 minute drives and doable by bike if the weather cooperates. I imagine how hard it must be for kids who live much farther from work going back and forth, spending all that time and gas. Restaurant gave her a set schedule and the grocery schedules around those hours. She got quite lucky with that. Both places will give her hours during the 4-week winter break and any other time she is home and wants to work. She hopes to apply for better jobs next summer by which time she’ll have some experience and since her school is over early May, it might work out for her. The restaurant owner knows the owner of that same restaurant at her college and will get her a part time job there if she is interested in working one shift a week.</p>

<p>Employers take advantage of these kids because they can. At my son’s job he has to find his own replacements if he can’t work the schedule they give him. He can’t put in for time off in advance when he has appts. You get demerit points for all kinds of silly things, like calling in sick unless you have doctor’s excuse. They don’t want to hire fulltime so they don’t have to pay benefits, but they expect these kids to be available and eager to work whenever, jump through the hoops.</p>

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<p>My daughter makes pretty good money babysitting. And when she hustles, she can get plenty of hours.</p>

<p>Day camp counselors can make extra money watching kids between the time camp ends and when their parents come home from work. At least that’s how it works here in NYC.</p>

<p>It’s a cumulative thing–the more you work, the better references you get, and your clients recommend you to other families.</p>

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<p>I admit it is a trade off.
Our girls had full time paid work as soon as they turned 18, aided by their extensive volunteer experience in middle & high school.
But that meant not only hours during the summer, but hours during the school year including holidays. We sacrificed family time so they could have that experience.</p>

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<p>Even kids with disabilities/health conditions, who cannot work due to illness in the summer, for instance, still have the work requirement.</p>

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<p>What is the work requirement that people here are talking about? Something to do with financial aid? Excuse me for my laziness. I guess I should look it up, but hoping someone will tell me instead.</p>

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<p>Work requirement= student contribution.
Schools that use the Profile often calculate the EFC to take into account the student earning $2,000-$3,000 on top of just using the parent income & assets.</p>

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<p>I would say that emeraldkity is a bit too broad in the definition. An FA package will include student contributions in the form of: </p>

<p>-a percentage of student assets,
-Work Study (employment during the school year at a wage subsidized by the federal government)
-and the Summer Savings Expectation.</p>

<p>The $2,000-$3,000 refers only to the Summer Savings Expectation. The money does not need to be earned only during the summer, if other breaks are available or additional work during the school year on top of the Work Study position.</p>

<p>Also, if the summer savings money happens to be in a savings account held in the student’s name when the CSS Profile is completed each year, the money is effectively “double taxed” as it counts against student assets as well.</p>