The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

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SWLA education On campus or Off campus? By Tori Hebert The Class of 2017 graduates probably feel like a new year hasn’t quite begun. It’s easy to base a “new year” on when a school calendar year begins. As seniors continue their studies in the last few months before graduation, they will begin looking at various details revolving around their first year of college. One pressing issue will be where they will call home. Living on or off campus is a hard decision to make and the ultimate factor for many students ultimately relies on affordability. Affordable housing is an absolute must have now more than ever because of legislative action to cut TOPS allowances. TOPS, Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend college within that state. Students receive TOPS based on their GPA throughout high school and must maintain a certain GPA each semester of college to continue receiving financial aid. The TOPS program pays for a students tuition, and with either the Performance Award or Honors Award stipend, students receive extra funds to help them cover various university fees. The state legislature has been chipping away at the budget for higher education for many years. In turn, tuition prices continue to rise across campuses. In the early part of 2016, students faced a devastating blow when the legislature, in order to meet a budget decision, once again cut high education and left the TOPS program without the $249 million it needs to be fully funded. The chart below shows what tuition at McNeese and SOWELA will be for the Spring 2017 semester, and also what TOPS is able to give. The table also includes stipend payment reductions for the spring based on what was paid in the fall. In the Spring semester, TOPS will be less than 50% funded. McNeese Spring Tuition $3,677.23 TOPS Award $1,075.79 TOPS Performance Stipend Fall $186.12 Spring $83.60 SOWELA Spring Tuition $1,667.50 TOPS Award $671.76 TOPS Honors Stipend Fall $372.24 Spring $167.20 Without the full tuition payment and stipend allowance of TOPS, students will and parents alike will want to save many anywhere they can. Living on campus usually includes rent, all utilities, provides a laundry facility, fully furnished rooms, and sometimes a kitchen. These are great features when students are looking in to housing options for their new college adventure. However, the prices for on campus housing can often make students and parents gasp. Here are a few pros and cons to consider about living on campus. Why live on campus… 1. Convenience On campus living means never having to drive to school. You don’t have to keep track of the traffic report or learn alternate routes for those hectic days on the road. You may even get to sleep in later than you would if you were a computer student. Being on campus all the time also makes it easier to be a part of campus events. You won’t have the debate with yourself if you really want to go all the way back to school once you have been home for a few hours. Everything you need is right on campus with you, and you have countless opportunities to take a break form studying to enjoy fun nights with friends. 2. 24/7 Assistance Whether you got locked out of your room or the elevator is broken, Maintenance is always on call. Plus, Residence Assistants are always available to help you in an emergency, or to simply give you advice. Unlike off campus apartments, someone is always available to help you when 8 January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
things go wrong. When you live on campus you grow a support system of people who want you to succeed. Being around others like you who are striving to do their best will challenge you to better yourself everyday. Pictures are "outside view of "The Suites" and floor plans. Why live off campus… 1. The requirement of a meal plan. Having a meal plan can be great for those students who do not want to cook all the time and would rather not store food in their room. However, this can also be a set back because meals plans are an extra several hundred dollars that will be paid in addition to deposits for housing. Many colleges require residents to have a meal plan, even if it does not get used. Different meal plan options are available to students, but if a student would rather cook is the extra payment a beneficial purchase? Remember, a kitchen is NOT always included in your dorm. Take some time to examine what kind of grocery budget you could set for yourself. Would you be able to purchase groceries to last a week or two, or does a meal plan option with already cooked meals a better fit for you? L-R, King Hall, Watkins Hall and Ziglar Hall (The Suites) are the most popular of the housing options on McNeese State University. 2. Cost The prices listed on various on campus floor plans are monthly rent. This price is sometimes not divided between roommates. For example, if a floor plan price says that it is $560 per month, it is possible that every occupant of the floor plan pays $560 per month. Even if the floor plan includes 2-4 individual rooms, the price can still be $560 per person. Off campus living prices can be a shock, but the difference is that the monthly cost would be divided between the occupants. For example, if rent is $1,000 per month, each occupant would be responsible for a portion of $333.33. McNeese houses both McNeese and SOWELA students. Time will tell how the on campus resident population will change with the new TOPS allowances. To find out more about the TOPS program and to see what TOPS tuition payments will be for your school, visit http://www.osfa.state. la.us. Collette Floor Plan Garden Style Floor Plan Visit http://www.mcneesereslife.com to view other floor plans, photos, and information. Visit https://www.mcneese.edu/future-students/tuition_fees_and_expenses for more information about McNeese tuition and Visit https://www.sowela.edu/np-calc for Sowela tuition. (this is net price calculator that students plug in their information to see an estimated cost of their education) Visit http://www.osfa.state.la.us For information on Federal Funding Visit http://www.osfa.state.la.us/MainSitePDFs/TOPS_Payment_Amounts.pdf. Students can check their specific education site to see what the TOPS allowance is for the Spring 2017 semester. Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 9
Page 1 and 2: JANUARY 2017 Vol 4 No 4 2017 The NE
Page 3 and 4: January 2017 LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, ST
Page 5 and 6: MARSHALL’S CITY COUNCIL ACCOMPLIS
Page 7: PHOTO BY VINH PHOTOGRAPHY and const
Page 11 and 12: This coupon entitles you to10% off
Page 13 and 14: Friday January 13th Morning-Kick-Of
Page 15 and 16: SUCCESSFUL SELF Inc. It has been re
Page 17 and 18: New Years Resolutions Basha's List
Page 19 and 20: Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEO
Page 21 and 22: SWLA business Creative Financing fo
Page 23 and 24: DEBT CONSOLIDATION LOANS AS LOW AS
Page 25 and 26: CALCASIEU PARISH GETTING BACK 2 BIZ
Page 27 and 28: IT’S GEAUX TIME. IT’S HERE, Y

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