Many are debating whether attending college remains a good choice for students, especially with the changes in available funding resources and student loan repayment plans. But what do current students have to say?
In this series, the Indianapolis Recorder partners with Future Black Leaders, Inc. (FBL) to uplift student voices on important issues. FBL is an association of Black high school and college student groups across Indiana.
“The mission of Future Black Leaders is to radiate excellence, promote racial equity, and empower Black leadership,” according to their official website.
FBL Student Ambassadors Chase Iseghohi of Indiana University-Indianapolis and Blessing Malunga of Marian University share their thoughts below.
This email Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
What are some reasons you have chosen to go to college?
Blessing Malunga: I wanted to be able to pursue my dream of Journalism, so I decided to apply for college outside of my country to the US and pursue it from there. I want to make my parents proud and to hopefully one day bring them here! Journalism is a way I can find my voice and the voices of others and I believe it is worth saving and expanding!
Chase Iseghohi: I chose to go to college because I saw it as a powerful avenue to turn my goals and aspirations into reality. Beyond my own ambitions, I wanted to begin breaking generational barriers. No one in my family had ever graduated with a bachelor’s degree, so it was important to me to set that precedent and open new doors.
Some funding resources for colleges have changed. What concerns do you or your peers have about being able to pay for college?
Malunga: My parents can’t afford any of my tuition due to the currency and exchange rates. I have to work extra hard and participate in so many things just to be accepted for scholarships. I am concerned that they continue to increase tuition because that means more money is taken out of my limited scholarships and the higher my student loans become.
Iseghohi: Not only have funding resources for students going to college changed, but the return on investment hasn’t been the same either. Unemployment among recent college graduates (ages 22–27) has reached approximately 5.8%, outpacing the national average (around 4.2%). It’s also interesting that while there are plenty of scholarships available for first-year students, sophomores through graduate students often struggle to access the same level of support. Beyond just paying for college, the programs within universities that support Black initiatives and student life have also shifted. This raises concerns because when Black-led initiatives aren’t given equal opportunities for institutional and monetary support, it ultimately impacts the success and well-being of Black students on campus.
