CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rising college costs mean that even with help, some students may be forced to drop out because they can't afford tuition.
Right now, families across the Charlotte area are trying to figure out how to pay for college. Despite scholarships, financial aid and having a job, one Queens University athlete is struggling and worried she might be forced to quit.
WCNC Charlotte is working to help her and others facing the same situation get ahead.
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Andrea Ojeda-Jimenez stays busy. She's on the dance team at Queens, where she's a senior. She also works 30 hours a week as a server at Hickory Tavern. If that wasn't enough, she's also a full-time student trying to earn grades that will get her into law school.
"It's hard," she said. "It's really, really hard."
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It's even harder paying for school. Despite academic and athletic scholarships and financial aid from the school and a small private scholarship, the 19-year-old still owes $11,000 per semester for tuition.
"It's been pretty difficult," Ojeda-Jimenez said. "Last year was hard, but this year it's getting a lot more difficult."
She lives at home and eats most of her meals there to save money. And while her parents were able to help with last semester's bills, they can't this time around. She's now facing a heartbreaking situation: the possibility of dropping out over money.
"It would be sad, it would be really sad," she said. "I don't want it for me, my parents ... they worked so hard for me to be able to go to school."
The family, including her younger brother, moved to Charlotte from Venezuela with TPS, temporary protected status, after her parents says they were in danger because of her dad's work with the government. They came to the U.S. looking for more opportunities but it's been an uphill battle.
In their home country, Andrea's mom was a CEO and her father an engineer. But their degrees don't mean much in the U.S., so both of them now work multiple jobs. Her mom is a Spanish teacher for CMS and delivers packages for Amazon. Her dad is in construction and also works as an Uber driver.
Ojeda-Jimenez worries all the hard work they've put in won't be enough to graduate.
"I love Queens and would love to stay at Queens and I would love to have my degree from there, but if things become more difficult, I can't risk my parents working three jobs every day," she said.
WCNC Charlotte met with some financial staffers at Queens University, as well as financial planners. They're now working with Ojeda-Jimenez to help her get ahead. WCNC Charlotte hopes to not only connect her to resources, but help other college students and their families who are in similar situations.
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the many issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is seeking solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to newstips@wcnc.com.