If I am asking for my money, am I asking too much?
I listen to the radio and read the newspaper, and the most important issue on campus right now is how Cyrah Hawkins’ title was snatched.
I could not care less about who is a tenth of a point away from being Mr. FAMU when I need my cash!
Do not take me as being rude, but I know there are a lot of students like myself who’ve been dying to see a financial aid check.
For as long as I can remember, Florida A&M University has always had a reputation of delaying the disbursements of financial aid. I have seen numerous reports on WTLH and WCTV showing unhappy students waiting in a line wrapped around corners and stairways.
I call repeatedly throughout the day just to get an automated voice asking me to check Our FAMU, and I am thinking, “What in the world am I checking Our FAMU for?”
Obviously, I tried that route and did not get to my destination because I am on the phone trying to call you! As I stand in line for what seems like hours, I find myself calling the Financial Aid hotline to hear that same voice direct me to Our FAMU all over again.
I just don’t understand.
When I get to the front of the line for the fifth trip, I am told that my papers were misplaced and I need to do this and redo that.
One lady told me, “I don’t know what’s going on.”
Well, I don’t know what’s going on either. That’s why I waited in this financial aid line since 10 in the morning.
It is past lunchtime, and I’m hungry.
I can’t even do the things I want to do with my money because I don’t have it.
This institution has done so much to get out of debt and change its negative image. They even had to fire some people and throw up some new buildings. All this reinventing and development and they still wonder why enrollment is down. What they need to do is hire someone like me who can advise them on these types of issues. It is a real simple equation.
Stop worrying about who Mr. FAMU is going to be, and figure a way to give all these students their money on time so they can live comfortably.
I think they should hire temporary financial aid representatives a month before school starts to help solve all the problems that usually arise before school begins. This will shorten lines or at least make them move faster. Everyone will be happy.
The financial aid reps wouldn’t have to come to work every morning to see 100 students waiting in line at 8 a.m. and see student number 69 when they come from their lunch break.
Although school started two months ago, I am still checking the mail for my money.
People joke with me by saying I won’t see my check until next semester. I think that is getting closer to reality for me.
Somebody please correct me if I am wrong. Is asking for my money asking too much?
Diedra Fields is a junior business administration student from Tallahassee. She can be reached at missdfields@hotmail.com.