Dear Next President,

My name is Meliena Ratz, I am a sophomore at Belgrade High School in Montana, I'm already thinking about college and how I'm supposed to save enough money to get into the college of my dreams. Tuition is a necessary fee for college attendance and is a costly investment, especially if you want to go out of state. Many students have to save money or work while attending high school and college. Tuition in some states can be as high as $50,000 per year not including books, housing, and food.

Most future students have jobs during high school to save money for college even though it will still be a huge cost in the future. Even if they have a job during school, balancing school, work, and extracurricular activities can, it be difficult to handle. I already know a few students that will struggle with the high cost even if they take on more than one job.

As students we should not be worrying about making enough money to stay in college. Our focus should be on lectures, passing classes, and understanding the material being taught. We should not worry about having enough money for the materials to help us succeed and earn a degree to get a good job. For many students, the costs outweigh the benefits so they feel college isn't an option. It’s a sad thing to think about but it’s the reality we live in.

It would mean a lot to me, my classmates, and students wanting a college education. Even if there was more ways to receive financial aid. There are many scholarships and grants available but many need a essay or sports ability. Some students don't have the time to devote to writing an essay or they're not very athletic. I hope we can work on this issue now and in the future to have a successful society and have the future in the right hands.

Thank you,

Meliena Ratz