Although many people do not realize it, students at Fresno City College struggle with financial woes. Situations differ, but there are individuals that have it more difficult than others.

Faustina Torres is one of many students barely making it through the day.

Living with her mother in a Fresno project, Torres is exposed to many hardships – both financially and emotionally. Violence is common for this first year student, and money is definitely scarce in her household.

Torres, currently living with her mother and older brother who is incapacitated, lives this hardship firsthand. Her mother, a single parent, doesn’t make enough to give Torres and her older brother many luxuries, but rather, the very bare essentials.

“I remember one instance when we didn’t have enough to pay for the rent. We almost got kicked out of the apartment. Luckily, a family member helped us out, but this isn’t the first time this has happened.”

Similarly, second year student Paulette Alatriste found herself in a financial crisis right after her parents divorced.

Her mother lost her belongings, including her home, and suddenly, Alatriste’s world was turned upside down. She found herself living in and out of countless hotels and a car for a month, until her brother bailed her out from some financial troubles. Alatriste remembers not having enough cash to even pay for the gasoline to get to school, let alone buy supplies needed for classes.

Although Alatriste is now somewhat stable, she remembers her own hardships and values college very much.

According to Frank Ramon, head of financial aid, 77 to 78 percent of all students have some sort of financial aid on campus.

The other 22 percent either don’t qualify due to high or low income, or they simply do not apply. Compared to other campuses, this rate is “very high,” Ramon comments, “We are in the middle of what some call a low income area.”

Financial troubles most definitely exist amongst students on campus.

To some, trouble can be seen when you run low on dollars in your bank account, to others when you can’t go to the movies on a specific weekend, but to some students like Torres and Alatriste “it comes down to buying your bus fare or buying lunch.”