Student Debt Impacts Women

My opinion is students should avoid loan debt. The surest way to do that is to not take out student loans in the first place. How to pay for school you ask?

• Live at home with parents as long as possible. This might mean you help around the house and contribute to household expenses.
• Apply for financial aid. This goes without saying. Even if you don't think you qualify, submit your FAFSA and indicate "Work Study" if you are interested in a part-time job on campus. Renew your FAFSA every year. 
• Apply for scholarships. Check out the scholarship page on this blog. Also check the San Diego City College scholarship site for resources.
• Take as many courses as possible at the community college before transfer. Work with a counselor on this.
• Set a budget and stick to it.
• Cut unnecessary expenses. By this, I mean buy only what you need, not what you want.
• Author Dave Ramsey says it's imperative to set up an emergency fund of $1000 asap. Whatever your budget can afford, start putting a set amount away each month until you reach $1000. How? Sell stuff you don't need. Work an extra job during school breaks. Take in a roommate to cut the rent. Having an emergency fund will save you a ton of stress when emergencies happen. It will also empower you by showing you it's possible to save.
• Once you establish your emergency fund, then continue saving the same monthly amount or more if possible. Put it in a savings account toward your future college expenses.

Okay, female students, the article below is about you. But don't fret. Do the above instead. College Debt Weighs More Heavily on Women Than On Men appeared on MSN Money.

UC Education Will Cost More

UC Regents Approve First Tuition Increase Since 2011 was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 28, 2017.

Protecting Immigrant Students

Sometimes it's hard being a counselor at San Diego City College. We don't have the resources to help students the way we would like to, especially during the peak registration periods. We run out of appointments. We don't have enough educational planning workshops, and it's hard for students to get the help they need. This is frustrating for students, counselors, and staff. During these times, I can feel pretty exasperated and question my purpose in this profession.

There are times, however, when I'm proud to be an employee of the San Diego Community College District. The article below regarding our District's stance in protecting immigrant students is one instance in which I am glad to be a part of our District and community. It's reassuring to know that the District has the backs of our students. Kudos to Chancellor Constance Carroll for taking this stand because it's the right thing to do.

The San Diego Community College District is taking a stand to protect college students who could possibly face deportation. "There are institutions that will provide voluntary assistance (to federal immigration officers), and we will not be one of them." -- Chancellor Constance Carroll.

Community College District Moves to Protect Immigrant Students appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 28, 2017.

Homeless

Escondido Puts Homeless on Priority List appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on Feb. 19, 2017.

Oceanside Debates Homeless Solutions was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Feb. 14, 2017.

"This situation is beyond outrageous, but our homeless population is not to blame -- the culprit is failed leadership." City Camp Could Be San Diego's Homeless Solution appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on Feb. 10, 2017.

How to solve the homeless problem? Homeless Crisis Is Solvable, But Won't Yield to Political Timidity was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 29, 2017.

Volunteers helped count the numbers of homeless in San Diego. "It was an eye-opener to see people sleeping under the bridge." -- Natasha Howell of Oceanside, who helped search for homeless near Camp Pendleton. 1,700 Volunteers Hit the Street to Count, Interview the Homeless appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 28, 2017.

Homeless Connect gave services and basic necessities to 1,016 people on January 25. "This is where my life turned around." -- David Hyland, one of the many people who received help. 1,000+ Receive Clothes, Services at 11th Homeless Connect was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 25, 2017.

Army Vet Heals Through Loving Her Cat

"I was in such a bad place. I remember thinking, 'How am I going to get out of this?' And then I saw that face, and I just felt something. And when you don't usually feel much and you finally feel something, you kind of have to act on that." -- Army veteran, Karolyn Smith, on seeing her cat, Sophia, for the first time on San Diego Humane Society's Facebook page.

How An Amputee Cat Helped A San Diego Veteran Heal Herself appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 14, 2017.