Forum for Students to Raise Financial Concerns
Tuesday meeting includes financial assistance, career services offices
The economic crisis facing the nation is beginning to hit home for many Boston University students, whose concerns include the ailing job market, the financial security of their families, and their ability to cover tuition costs.
“This just isn’t a very good time to be entering the workforce,” says Megan Steffen (UNI’09), who hopes to find work in graphic design. “I still plan on looking for a job, but I’m growing increasingly doubtful that there’s going to be a need for the kind of entry-level worker I’d be. Graduate school has never looked so good — but I’m even worried about getting into grad school, too.”
To help students understand the impact of the market’s upheaval and to make them aware of BU’s financial assistance resources, the University will hold an informational session on Tuesday, November 4, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the George Sherman Union small ballroom, 775 Commonwealth Ave. Staff from the University Service Center (USC), Career Services, Financial Assistance, Student Employment, International Students and Scholars, and Student Accounting Services will be present to discuss the current economic situation and to help students plan for the months ahead.
“We’re going to give people a quick overview of what the markets are doing,” says Kenneth Elmore, the dean of students, “but really what we’re trying to do is to let students know who they can contact to talk about changes in their family’s, or their own, financial circumstances.”
Denise Mooney, associate vice president for enrollment and student affairs and associate dean of students, says that students concerned about meeting expenses for the spring semester can get counseling about their loans and explore options such as additional grant funding.
“The USC staff is always ready to talk with students about any concerns, including financial worries,” Mooney says. “We will advise them and connect them with more specialized University resources as appropriate.”
Students who cannot attend the meeting or who have immediate concerns about their financial aid can contact the Financial Assistance Office, 881 Commonwealth Ave., at finaid@bu.edu or 617-353-2965. The University Service Center is also a resource for students seeking more information.
Jessica Ullian can be reached at jullian@bu.edu.
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