Letter to the Editor: Government should help out hardworking individuals
November 18, 2010
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First, I want to say kudos to author Jenn Lyles. I applaud your
decision to move to the U.S. and work hard to pay for your
education. Well done. However, I do not echo your sentiments in
this week’s newspaper. Many students do abuse the system and use
college as a means to get free money with no intentions of
graduating; however, don’t pile all pell grant recipients into the
same group.
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My sister and I receive pell grants to help pay for our education.
My sister uses hers to pay for her dorm and meal plan expenses. I
use mine every semester to pay ahead on bills, so I won’t have to
worry about my monthly expenses.
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With that being said, we wouldn’t receive a pell grant if my
parents hadn’t divorced five years ago. While my parents were
married, my mom stayed at home to raise my siblings (I have a
younger brother) and I while my father provided for our family and
worked towards his degree.
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After graduating, he told my mom he wanted a divorce. I don’t
intend for this to be a “woe-is-me” story. My siblings and I have
been blessed with parents who, despite their divorce, go above and
beyond to raise us. Although my mother hasn’t earned a degree, she
has secured a permanent position in the municipal court system and
is certified by the University of Alabama as a court magistrate;
however, my mother’s income is still below the federal poverty
limit.
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I can empathize with your struggle. The government should help
hard-working individuals like you. However, you shouldn’t feel that
way about pell recipients. Many have to work just as hard to finish
school. If you did receive a pell grant, would you want people to
think that way of you?