TEAM EXERCISE #4 HERE IS TEAM D Group Members: Julie Brown Kristin Doherty Steve Kazmierczak Jose Lopez Sofia Salem Tonya Sargent Vicki Therriault There is no such thing as a "perfect life" anymore, and for juveniles the obstacles seem to breed into relentless amounts. Juveniles have to put up with not only the pressures of high school, but now there are pressures such as teenage sex, and it's implications, peer pressures to do drugs, commit crimes, and just to be delinquent. All the while these juveniles are attempting to do something with their life, and according to many politicians and such, juveniles have all the opportunity in the world to make it, if they want, but is society really that level of a playing field. Given the case study of "a juvenile senior (female) is one of 3 children in a single parent home with the parent working two jobs, about 60 hrs a week. There is only one car, and it is used by the working parent. The girl is due to have a child a month after graduation and needs to find a car and a night job to be able to support her weight and buy a car for transportation to work and for the child. She needs to make about 17k a year to stay above poverty level and needs to help with house bills and baby sitting after school. She also needs to find own way to get into and pay for college She reads at a 12 grade+ level, but needs to take pre-credit courses on math. She also needs to find baby sitter and pay for it..." our group has come up with the following statistics to show that although there are many ways for this juvenile to make it, life isn't simple and she will have to work hard to come out on top. There are many obstacles that exist when getting this particular juvenile into college. Obstacles include finding a night job, obtaining transportation, obtaining a place of employment to meet her financial needs, and finding her own way to get into and meet the expense of college. She needs to find a nighttime job due to the fact that her classes will be held from 8:00am until 3:00pm. In order to meet her transportation needs for work and school, she will need to purchase a car. In regards to her financial situation, she will need to find a place employment where the salary is at least $17,000 or more. This is to guarantee she stays above the poverty level, has the funds to help with house bills as well as baby-sitting while she is attending classes, and to meet the expenses for college. While the circumstances and opportunities surrounding individuals attempting to enter college vary, there is a similar process that all undergo when trying to procure financial assistance in covering college-related costs. For instance, applying for federal and state financial aid involves completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Upon processing and review, the Department of Education determines the individual's eligibility for various forms of financial aid. Given the available information, it appears that the juvenile student in question would be eligible (she is a citizen, will have a high school degree, not convicted of a drug charge, of legal age, working towards a degree, etc.). In conjunction with federal forms of aid, the school of the student's choice receiving the information from the FAFSA can also provide financial assistance opportunities that are unique to that particular school. Applying and submitting a FAFSA can potentially expose a student to several opportunities for receiving financial aid. In conjunction with the school of the student's choice, the more common forms of financial aid include: Grants - Federal Pell grants. These are grants given to the student, which do not have to be repaid. For the 2003-2004 school year, the maximum award limit was $4,050. Loans - Subsidized / Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. These types of loans must be repaid. The student has the option of having either the government or themselves pay for accruing interest during time of enrollment. The maximum amount that a first-year undergraduate is eligible for is $2,625. However, depending on the student's grade level and loan (subsidized / unsubsidized), the maximum amount provided can reach an amount of $18,500 - Federal PLUS Loans. Just as there are loans specifically given to students, so too are there unsubsidized loans that can be made to parents. Students having parents who are not eligible for the PLUS loans or students who are independent are eligible to borrow additional Stafford Loan funds through this program. In the specific example of the juvenile student with a child (a dependent), the case can be made that she could be classified as an independent. Typically, the amount given to applicants from PLUS loans is calculated by subtracting other financial aid received from the total cost of attendance. School-Specific Assistance - Federal Work Study. This type of program provides employment opportunities for students as a means to attain funds used to pay for the cost of attending college. - Federal Perkins Loans. These types of loans must be repaid to the lending school. The maximum monetary limit for this loan is $4,000. - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). These are grants available for undergraduates. The maximum monetary limit for this loan is $4,000. In addition to seeking financial aid, there are also other strategies that are effective in reducing the cost of attending college. For example, attending a community college initially then transferring to a college or university would greatly reduce costs (i.e. housing and dining, lower tuition, transportation, etc.). In 2002, not counting room and board, the average, combined costs of transportation, tuition and fees, and books and supplies was estimated to be $3,525 for Illinois community colleges versus $5,993 for Illinois public universities. For cost-effectiveness, it would be wise to first attend community college. There may be other school-related financial aid available at the school in which the student chooses to attend. The availability of options, as well as the chance for being eligible and receiving such aid, depends on the school in question. The student may also wish to seek out avenues that are not often sought out. For instance, organizations, clubs, religious groups, foundations, etc. often have programs that provide financial aid to students eligible of requirements. Also, in contacting the proper outlets (i.e. the financial aid administrator of the student's desired school and claiming independence on the FAFSA with proper authority) there may be opportunities for special consideration regarding receiving aid due to special circumstances. In this case, the juvenile student in question is in the unique dilemma of having, and caring, for a newborn child, obtaining a job, helping to maintain an extended family - all while pursuing college. There are a couple of ways to get kids who come from similar situations as our case study into college. Both the government and society as a whole have come together to work to get more children who come from poorer families into college. One way that the government has tried to improve the availability to education to poorer children who are unable to get help from their families to pay for college is through obtaining a student loan. One loan in particular is the Federal Plus Loan. “The Federal Undergraduate Stafford Loan is a simple interest, government guaranteed, no collateral loan” (www.sallimae.com). The fact that the loan is simple interest, government guaranteed and with no collateral takes a major burden off those who feel the burden of lack of funds on a constant bases. This also gives kids that would be left out of the college experience and also left out of the process of excelling themselves a fighting chance to make it in society. Another benefit of the Federal Undergraduate Stafford Loan is that “students may borrow while in school and begin repayment six months after leaving school or graduating” (www.sallimae.com). This gives the recipient of the loan a chance to find a job after graduating and to start to repay the loan. Another loan is the Federal PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students), which is exactly like the Federal Undergraduate Stafford Loan except that its the parents that take the loan out and the repayment is“ based on a ten-year repayment plan with no prepayment penalties”(www.sallimae.com). The government is trying to make it that much easier for underprivileged children to be able to attend college. Another way that the government lends its hand to help those of need for college funds is through grants. By giving the children access to grants this will inadvertently help society as a whole because the children that would be prone to commit crimes would have a stake in society. Grants are a form of financial aid, based on need, which you do not have to repay (www.finaid.org-scholarship). The fact that the children do not have to pay the funds back helps to lower the stress level of "how am I going to get the funds to pay school back". The ways in which society can help make obtaining an education for underprivileged children less difficult is by not labeling the children as “trash” or “good for nothings simply because they do not have money to attend college. Both society and the government need to encourage underprivileged children to reach and strive for an education since these children are the voice of our future and the bettereducated they are the better chances for a prosperous future. The Center for Urban Economic Development at the University of Chicago performed a study on self-sufficiency living wage for Chicago. Included in the data are average estimated and realistic budgets. First, if the female juvenile attends a community college the available income to work with is $15,269. However, most community colleges and university offer some type of loan, assistantship, scholarships and programs for single parents. Nevertheless, the approximate monthly income to budget with is $1,416. This is before taxes. If the juvenile female used about $202 dollars in each area: housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, miscellaneous, and taxes she will use the entire $1416. However, if she wanted to save and really minimize her budget she can accommodate certain areas and spend less. The self sufficient standard in Chicago for an adult with an infant is: Housing $891, Child Care $522, Food $257, Transportation $75, Health Care $238 , Miscellaneous $ 198 and Taxes $522. Since, she will be below the standard for self- sufficiency she may be eligible for public assistance programs offered for low-wage families. Some benefits may include: food stamps, Medicaid, earned income tax credit, as well as other educational assistantships/loans. Realistically, with an average income of approximately 17,000 dollars, it would be very difficult for an individual to attend college as well as help with other financial obligations without any type of assistance. According to Illinois Comptroller's Office, the average tuition rate for two semesters at an Illinois university in 2002 was $4,495. However, a Community College would probably suit this Juvenile, since the tuition rate for two semesters at an Illinois Community College was $1,731. Also, as stated before, there are many different resources that can assist with paying for school such as loans and grants. Regarding a plan for budgeting time, it is believed that it will be possible to work college into this family’s current situation. However, it will be quite challenging due to the obstacles that exist. Assuming our juvenile will be in class from 8am until 3pm, she will need to find day-care services from 7am until 4pm, allowing her ample time to get to and from classes. Assuming that she will have a few breaks in-between classes, she can also work on course requirements while on campus. She will need to find employment with flexible hours because of her situation. When returning at 4pm, she will have to either find employment from that time until nighttime to ensure making the minimum $17,000 salary, to remain above the poverty line. She could possibly find employment working the “graveyard shift.” That way, she will be able to sleep and complete the remaining school work required from her courses. There are two issues that are in question though. If she goes to work after 4pm until 10/11pm, she will need to find extending services for baby-sitting. There is no guarantee that her mother will be able to provide for the child at that time, seeing as how her mother is working two jobs. Then she can sleep and finish her school work in-between 11pm and 7am. Now, if she finds employment working the “graveyard shift,” she still may need to find some other form of day-care provider as well. It is a necessity to sleep and complete her school work before she returns to school in the morning. On Saturday and Sunday, she can catch up on her rest, school work, and spend time with her child. She shouldn't need any day-care during the weekends. . It is believed that there is a possibility of this family making it considering the circumstances. Under the circumstances, this individual’s time spent with her child will decrease. However, having less time to spend with her child does not necessarily mean the mother will fail to perform her role adequately. Research has found that college- educated working mothers try hard to compensate. They cut down on time spent sleeping and relaxing more than they cut down on time spent with their children. This juvenile will be highly challenged and will need to expect the unexpected, such as her child getting sick/herself getting sick. It is believed that with the help of a day-care provider, finding a job with flexible hours, and the basic desire/motivation to complete college, and obtaining financial aid to pay for college, that this family has a good probability of making it. For this young woman and her family life doesn't have to be all work, there can be some fun too. There are many recreational activity this family could do that would not cost them much. For starters the children could be in a day camp at Riis Park in Chicago. Having the children go to the day camp would be cheaper than sending them to day care for the summer. The day camp would cost $240.00 whereas the day care cost $522.00. This family could also enjoy the parks of Chicago. There is the Lakefront Trail that is 15 miles long of beaches and 18 miles of bike paths that cost nothing. There is also Lake Michigan's shore line that is open from 9am-9pm. The beach would be perfect for family bonding time in the summer. They could spend time on the bikes during the spring and fall and during the winter there is a free ice skating rink in the heart of downtown Chicago which is located on State Street, between Washington and Randolph. Lincoln Park Zoo also has no admission and would be educational as well as fun. If mom is using the car, the kids could take the "L" train which cost around $1.00 to ride. If the juvenile girl does go to college in Chicago then it she would not need a car to get around, instead she could just take the "L". It is faster, cheaper, and she would not have to pay for parking. These are just a few of the recreational activities available for the family to do on there free time that will not hurt there budget. In conclusion, while students seeking higher education may face different circumstances and come from different backgrounds, the efforts that can be pursued to help pay for and lower the cost of education are often the same. Steps can be made in this case to get a young mother to college and to "level the playing field", so to speak. There are several avenues that can be pursued (i.e. grants, loans, work-study, as well as a bevy of other programs) that can make college a reality. Also, with the increased population of working mothers in the public world, many businesses now offer flexible working hours with great benefits that this young woman should be able to take advantage of. Most businesses, once they know that the employee is planning on bettering themselves and also plan to stay with the company, offer to pay for classes that will help the individual do so. This too could help this young woman greatly. Although the playing field is not completely level for everyone in society, the government is trying to help, and there are services out there for the less unfortunate, they just have to some how become aware of these services, and then take advantage of them, and then they too can succeed in today's society.
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