The Collegian

Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Arts

Media Credit: Marieke van der Vaart Sophomore anna Wiley searches for recyclables in classroom trash cans. She uses the deposit money for extra cash.

Sophomore Melissa Stewart has logged 30 hours of homework this week. Add in 18 hours of violin practice and she doesn't have much time for a job.

Still, she manages to fit in 12 hours. She has to work if she wants to continue her studies.

From juggling multiple jobs to recycling cans and bottles, many Hillsdale College students scrimp and save for four years to pay for an education that can exceed $100,000.

More than 80 percent of the student body receives financial aid. Dean of Women Diane Philipp said the college's mission and quality of education draw motivated students - they're students who want an education and not a mere diploma, Director of Financial Aid Richard Moeggenberg said.

Hillsdale students principally save money by earning it.

On-campus businesses alone employ 634 students, Business Office Director Kathy Caldwell said. And other students work off-campus.

"We definitely don't shy away from student employment," said Philipp, adding the administration encourages businesses on campus to hire students.

Freshman Casey Holmes works 10 hours a week cooking vegetarian food for Saga and shredding papers for the GOAL office.

Taking advantage of a tuition deferment program that allows students to delay payment up to $500 a semester, Holmes says she hopes to cut her final bill by at least $4,000.

"You can study Plato forever and ever, but someone else is still making your pizza," she said. "I've really enjoyed working in Saga. I always come back smelling like broccoli, though."

For Stewart this semester, working means juggling four jobs - two office and two monitoring jobs.

"I do like being busy," she said. "I just don't like being crazy-busy."

Legs crossed, relaxed, on the table behind the counter of Mauck Hall's entryway desk, Stewart explains the significance of her monitoring jobs.

"After this semester, I have to find some new sources of money because mine will be gone," she said. "When I decided to go to college, I realized over the summer it's not going to be easy. I'm not sure if getting in [another] $20,000 of debt is something I want to do."

Continued...

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