Their Relation to Higher Educational Finance 85
Self-Help and Student Finance
Many forms of self-help are not of any value in themselves and
should not be resorted to by the Student unless it is financially necessary.
Nor should the average Student attempt to earn all his expenses and at
the same time carry a full academic program. If complete self-help is
necessary, the academic program should be re-arranged so that the College
course will be covered in five or six years instead of four. The Student
needs leisure time for reflection and if he is constantly rushed, there
will be certain fundamental values of a College education that will be
lost. It is impossible for the average conscientious youth, with the best
intent in the world, to do full justice to the purpose of his College days and
to himself and at the same time earn all his expenses. He is not fully
able to grasp his opportunity; to expand to the full measure of his
enlarging scope and vision, and to profit as he might from the larger life
of the College or university in the extra-curriculum opportunities. 48 If the
Student has no financial source but self-help, that is his only salvation.
This type of individual must not be discouraged from going to College for
he is a great asset to society. He should be given aid—the kind that
will help him to help himself. Sentimental help would be dangerous and
vicious. He can be credited with assets that may be of great value in the
future and thus deserves a loan.
Nor should the Institution wait until a Student comes to apply for
help. He is a good risk and a most valuable investment and the fact that
money is available should be brought to his attention. Responsible
students are extremely reluctant to get into debt. They seem to prefer to
spend their valuable time at a job instead of borrowing. They are the
ones who would benefit the most by a loan, for the time of such a Student
is worth far more at his studies than at outside work. If the job interferes
with his study in any way, he loses money even though he earns
from fifty Cents to a dollar an hour. A little outside work is sometimes
beneficial, but a great deal is almost uniformly fatal. Other means should
therefore be found to assist the ambitious and worthy Student who must
rely entirely or in large part on self-help.
Self-Help and Loans
To those students who cannot balance their budget by self-help, loans
may be made. Many officials have been unable to see the close connection
between self-help and loans. Since the Student can spend his time more
profitably than by working at odd jobs, it is important that he be given
other assistance than that of finding work. This assistance should take
the form of loans or fellowships and scholarships.
48 Editorial, “College Men Who Need Help“, Literary Digest, November 15, 1924.
