I recently graduated from South Puget Sound Community College with an Associate in Science, through the general science transfer program. Right now, I work at the mall at American Eagle, earning minimum wage. My parents live out of state, so for the past two years I’ve been completely on my own—paying for rent, food, and everything else while trying to finish school.
I chose to go to community college because it was the only realistic option. It’s cheaper, more accessible, and close to home. A four-year university just wasn’t something I could afford, especially without family nearby. Even at community college, I wouldn’t have made it through without financial aid.
There were moments when I had to pay out of pocket for classes, and those times were incredibly stressful. I even lost my financial aid for a while, and I remember the anxiety that came with not knowing whether I’d be able to finish. College is supposed to be an investment in your future, but when you’re living paycheck to paycheck, it can feel more like a gamble.
That’s why I think guaranteeing the first two years of college for free would change everything. It would make college feel possible for so many people who currently see it as out of reach. I know several peers who never even tried to go to college because they thought it was too unrealistic financially. If the first two years were guaranteed, I think we’d see a lot more people taking that step—especially those who want to learn but don’t have a financial safety net.
Community college students also need a lot more support with basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and childcare. I had a friend with ADHD who was just three credits away from graduating, but she had to drop out because she couldn’t afford childcare. She was so close, and it was heartbreaking to see her have to walk away because she couldn’t balance school, kids, and bills. If wraparound services were more visible and accessible, students like her might have been able to stay.
I still don’t know exactly what I want to do next, but I know I want it to involve biology or environmental science—maybe microbiology. Every job I’ve looked at in that field requires higher education, so finishing my degree is the only way forward. College isn’t just about getting a degree. It’s about whether students can stay in school while juggling life, work, and mental health. Free tuition, stronger support systems, and real understanding from advisors would make higher education not just more accessible—but more humane.