College and Higher Education

I am a recent grad, and it was a shock when I got my diploma. I was frustrated having a master's degree and yet finding myself ill prepared to enter the work force. I don't have any job prospects or health insurance. I feel at a loss because I don't have the career development skills to enter the workforce. I have a lot of education but not a lot of skills.

Last year I was applying for college. I wanted to go to CSU and I thought it would be economical because my parents have four kids. They have put one through college already, two of us are in college, and one is still in high school. I looked at the tuition and realized that I would have to try to get scholarships, but they are incredibly competitive. Most of the students that I know that received scholarships had logged hundreds of volunteer hours. I worked through high school to save for college and I don't think it's fair that scholarships are based on something like community service. What about students like me who have to work through high school? There were not a lot of scholarships available to me even though I had a very high grade point average. My family is middle class and we are struggling. I can't imagine what it is like for poor people to try to go to college.

I want to go to law school next year, but my parents will be putting my younger brother through college so they can't help me. However, when we submit the FAFSA, their income will count against my ability to qualify for financial aid.

I have trouble paying for school but my parents are helping me. I work part time. School has become less affordable even with the benefits of being a Colorado resident. I am worried about being a new graduate entering the work force and I am worried about being prepared professionally.

I am concerned about the cost of education. By the time I finished my first year of school, I was out of money. I looked for scholarships, but found that it is difficult to find scholarships for middle class kids.