Nowadays, the cost of attending college in Texas can cost thousands of dollars for just a single semester. According to the US Department of Education website, the average cost of attendance for Lamar is around $23,000 and after financial aid the average cost can drop to around $12,000.
Lumberton native and Human Resource Manager major Arielle Hickerson shared some of her insight on the matter.
“Whether it is from Lamar or not, apply to as many scholarships as you can,” the junior said. “If you are paying for your tuition out of pocket, you’ll need a budget.”
Even with a mix of financial aid, scholarships, and grants, Hickerson has to also pay the rest of her tuition out of pocket. As a student resident, to make her meal plan last each semester, she divides her dining dollars and dining hall swipes by each month while she is on campus. With this method and mindful rationing, she has not yet ever run out.
Shawn Nguyen, a Mechanical Engineering junior from Nederland, Texas also shared some advice as a non-resident.
“Work hard, spend time on your grades, and be careful to meet your scholarship requirements– they pay attention to your grades,” he said.
To help cover the rest of the expenses of his tuition after financial aid, Nguyen works for a company called Fastenal as a contractor and has a side hustle of selling 3D print work.
“By discounting my 3D printing services, I receive more revenue and a bigger customer base,” Nguyen said. “Due to technological advancements, 3D printing is the future– so I want to inspire others to do it too.”
However, not all students utilize financial aid to help pay for school. Hailing from Beaumont, Sophomore Cassidy Wrinkler and Graphic design major instead covers her tuition with scholarships, grants, a photography side hustle, and a free-lance media director job at Lamar BSM.
Even when a daunting tuition balance seems to be far above affordability and a student is unsure if they are able to cover the full cost, Wrinkler encourages them not to give up.
“Work hard even if you don’t think you’ll be able to get it,” she said. “Hard work always pays off.”
To make sure a meal plan on campus lasts, she advises all students to “organize a game plan ahead of time”.
To help reduce expenses, students such as junior Elijah Kelly from Conroe, Texas buys food to eat within the dorm in addition to their meal plan.
“I usually don’t have breakfast but that is just a personal choice,” the Mechanical Engineering major said. “I prefer to buy cheaper food alternatives and smaller options like snacks to eat throughout the day.”
To cover his tuition expenses, Kelly receives financial aid, family assistance, and works part-time as a lifeguard on campus for Lamar aquatics.
Although all resident Lamar students are required to have a meal plan, if a student has a medical condition and the appropriate documentation by a physician or has at least 90 credit hours they may qualify for a meal plan exemption.
If needed, students may recharge their dining dollars by increments of $50 and $100 dollars whenever they want by visiting the Lamar website.
For students who are struggling to pay for their tuition balance before the start of the semester, they may also apply for an Emergency Deferment Loan. The loan acts as an alternative payment plan with two designated payment dates and holds the student’s classes for the semester.
To learn more about meal plan exemptions, visit https://www.lamar.edu/forms/finance/meal-plan-exemption.html
To recharge your dining dollars, visit https://epay.lamar.edu/C20117_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=142&SINGLESTORE=true
To learn more about payment plans, including the Emergency Deferment Loan, visit https://www.lamar.edu/students/paying-for-school/cashier-payment-options.html
Ambour Leal 