I couldn’t have imagined that a seemingly mundane moment — a work-study job interview — would end up leading me to the place where I met my closest friends.

Although I can’t speak for everyone’s work-study experiences, mine became a support system. Work-study unexpectedly offered me a sense of community, transforming colleagues into some of my closest friends.

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We’ve helped each other navigate food insecurity by appealing for additional work-study from USC Financial Aid and securing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, suggested academic or career development programs to each other, recommended prospective roommates to help with housing costs and have even lived together.

Our experiences as first-generation, low-income students are multifaceted due to our intersecting layers of identity. Finding others who corroborate is an undeniable special feeling. Learning and sharing these crucial resources become almost instinctual, like second nature. 

These friendships feel effortless because of our regular interactions at work. For someone like me who sometimes needs an extra push to connect, the structure of work-study makes it so much easier to form and maintain these blossoming relationships. 

While student organizations are often promoted as the best starting point, not all are equally accessible. The barriers for some clubs are so high that they accept less than 5% of applicants. The competitive nature intensifies the imposter syndrome and systemic challenges faced in college. No one should have to fight tooth and nail just for a chance to belong. 

Finding a sense of community was challenging when I entered college. My world was starkly different from my peers, but not in obvious ways. It wasn’t about mansions, designer brands or lavish vacations — it was the subtle differences in how we viewed money and its impact on us. For some, money wasn’t a stressor dictating decisions like where to attend college, the need to work multiple jobs or even which career to pursue. 

Our contrasting relationships with money often placed me in uncomfortable positions, especially in the early stages of friendships. There was a constant tug-of-war between my desire to build new connections and my need to stick to my financial principles. I felt internal guilt when I didn’t participate in certain activities — dining out, shopping and taking rideshares — due to financial constraints. I also felt internal guilt when I did participate. 

This lack of control over my financial situation aggravated the strain of being new on campus, negatively affecting my sense of belonging.

More than two-thirds of undergraduate students at USC receive some form of financial aid, including work-study, but the conversation about financial struggles often remains subdued on campus.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and theory of motivation encapsulates what FGLI students need to reach their full potential. It’s essential to recognize that their social, self-esteem and self-actualization needs cannot be met without first securing their safety and physiological needs.

USC offers various programs and initiatives to address these needs, such as free tuition for students from families with income and assets under $80,000. In Fall 2022, 22% of enrolled undergraduates received Pell Grants, highlighting USC’s commitment to supporting more low-income students than most elite universities.

Despite these efforts, many financial challenges remain unmet, including rent and housing expenses, car insurance and maintenance, credit card bills, and some students’ filial financial responsibilities back home.

Work-study uniquely addresses these concerns by providing income, financial stability and job security. It places students in environments where they interact with managers, fellow student workers or guests, depending on the job. Through these positions, students develop skills and gain confidence.

As FGLI students, what we crave is being understood without explaining. We live rich and complex lives, juggling multiple responsibilities while adjusting to being away from home, an experience often difficult to describe in words. Our shared experiences — struggles and sacrifices, hopes and dreams — create unspoken bonds among us.

However, the future of this essential program is uncertain, with the House Republican 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill proposing to cut the Federal Work-Study program. If this bill passes, students will lose a critical source of financial aid, limiting and interfering with students’ ability to finance their education and fulfill their complex needs.

Work-study offers more than a paycheck; it’s a way for the FGLI community to come together. In the face of potential budget cuts to work-study programs, participating in work-study can help ensure that these vital opportunities continue to be available.

All FGLI students should take advantage of work-study if they have the option. These positions create opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, share experiences and build meaningful relationships that extend beyond the workplace.