Food Stamps in D school

[dddsmack]

How many current dental students (and their families) receive federal aid such as medicaid and foodstamps?

I am trying to get an idea of how prevalent this is. Thanks.

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[clickytop]

How many current dental students (and their families) receive federal aid such as medicaid and foodstamps?

I am trying to get an idea of how prevalent this is. Thanks.

No doubt most of us qualify...if you go through the process and are successful, be sure and let us know. I'm always up for some free money, even if it's from the government.

 

[Robert Paulsen]

Some of those programs consider money from loans as income and therefore if you are borrowing enough to pay for dental school you are disqualified from the programs. Other programs look at ATM withdrawals as income so if you have money but no income you'll still be disqualified. That said, it can't hurt to apply.

RP

 

[FutureFreshDDS]

Some of those programs consider money from loans as income and therefore if you are borrowing enough to pay for dental school you are disqualified from the programs. Other programs look at ATM withdrawals as income so if you have money but no income you'll still be disqualified. That said, it can't hurt to apply.

RP

Since starting in D-school in 2005, my family and I have received food stamps and my son's Medicaid. In food stamp we receive about 380 per month and that is just enough to buy any food we may need. Initially, all of us had Medicaid but my wife and I were disqualified because we had more then 3000 in the bank. It has really helped out. When we first arrived, I did not qualified for food stamp due to some unknown reason and it was difficult to make up the difference. To anyone who may need or which to have I would suggest you to apply at your local HHS branch. When we get out, there is no doubt that we will be contributing back. There is a sigma associated with food stamp which is difficult to get over. After 3 years using, I still feel uncomfortable using the card (EBT) but if I did not have it I would not survive.

As far as qualifying, every state handles it differently. Mi does not consider loans as income. That is just stupid to do so anyway.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

It has to be pretty common because during our freshman orientation last year, the financial aid guy gave us a list of ways to supplement our loans: increasing our public loan budget (by bringing in rent and car repair receipts, etc.), getting food stamps, getting heating assistance, and applying for grants. So it has to be common and possible enough for him to mention it.

It's usually on a sliding scale anyway...so if they think you have some money you may only qualify for a little, but that bit can help.

 

[AMDFAO]

You must be joking! I'm sorry but the fact that you can do something doesn't mean you should. When you do get out and get a job remember that when you are complaining about having to pay your taxes; afterall it's free isn't it?

 

[pmantz]

You must be joking! I'm sorry but the fact that you can do something doesn't mean you should. When you do get out and get a job remember that when you are complaining about having to pay your taxes; afterall it's free isn't it?

(fake cough) Republican (fake cough)

Have you ever been broke, not the broke where you don't have bar money. Do you know what its like to have children and $50 in the bank and worry how you are going to feed them. Do you know what its like to pray they don't get sick because you don't have insurance for them. Lucky my wife is out of school now and has a good job but 1.5 years ago those were realities my wife and our children faced. I felt a little embarrassed when I bought food stamps, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. Like is hard at least there are some social safety nets. My family is one example of how food stamps and Medicaid helped good people trying to get on their feet. Yeah there will be people taking advantage but that is what happens with anything, get over it. Its easy to criticize people for using government assistence if you have never been in a situation where you honest to god needed it.

Oh I forgot this is not a political forum.

 

[OceanBlue]

I want some food stamps!!!!

 

[clickytop]

You must be joking! I'm sorry but the fact that you can do something doesn't mean you should. When you do get out and get a job remember that when you are complaining about having to pay your taxes; afterall it's free isn't it?

What's your justification for this argument? Is it that as dental students we aren't needy enough? Because I don't know about you, but I'm $300,000 in debt...how much needier do I need to be to justify getting a little help from the government? Or are you opposed to all government aid? Did you take out any of those nice subsidized or low interest government loans to pay for your education? Do you plan on collecting any social security (if theres any left)? What about tax credits...do you refuse to use any of those?

I really feel for people like pmantz who are going through something as expensive and stressful as dental school and are dealing with taking care of a family at the same time. I really don't think I would be able to do that and I have so much respect for the people who can make it work.

 

[jfitzpat]

Do you plan on collecting any social security (if theres any left)?

I generally agree, but Social Security isn't a benefit from the government. It's their way of raiding our paychecks for money that we'll never see again. And the general premise stated above is correct. The money isn't FREE, the taxpayers are picking up the tab. I don't have a problem with this if you have a family (even students) who are struggling. I do have a problem when the system is being abused.

 

[SNOZBERRIES]

What's your justification for this argument? Is it that as dental students we aren't needy enough? Because I don't know about you, but I'm $300,000 in debt...how much needier do I need to be to justify getting a little help from the government? Or are you opposed to all government aid? Did you take out any of those nice subsidized or low interest government loans to pay for your education? Do you plan on collecting any social security (if theres any left)? What about tax credits...do you refuse to use any of those?

I really feel for people like pmantz who are going through something as expensive and stressful as dental school and are dealing with taking care of a family at the same time. I really don't think I would be able to do that and I have so much respect for the people who can make it work.

Wow! It is amazing that me and my family made it through dental without accepting welfare. Oh wait, its not amazing. I remember how we did it. WE WORKED and didn't accept handouts that were never intended to aid future professionals. Being in professional school is your own decision. You, and your family, make this choice. Do it like everyone else. Get a part time job, take a scholarship, and/or take out loans. FDR would be flipping in his grave if he knew this is how the "New Deal" would end up.

 

[jim85213]

You must be joking! I'm sorry but the fact that you can do something doesn't mean you should. When you do get out and get a job remember that when you are complaining about having to pay your taxes; afterall it's free isn't it?

This is the way I look at it:

The fact of the matter is that the government is never going to get smaller and welfare will not ever disappear. That being said, your high end salary as a dentist will fund these welfare programs through taxes. You're not free-loading if you end up paying the bill later. So if you're going to be paying for it later, you might as well use it now.

 

[pmantz]

Wow! It is amazing that me and my family made it through dental without accepting welfare. Oh wait, its not amazing. I remember how we did it. WE WORKED and didn't accept handouts that were never intended to aid future professionals. Being in professional school is your own decision. You, and your family, make this choice. Do it like everyone else. Get a part time job, take a scholarship, and/or take out loans. FDR would be flipping in his grave if he knew this is how the "New Deal" would end up.

I highly doubt FDR intended only people who are poor and going to stay poor can only benefit from the New Deal. When it was conceptualized there was a lot of professionals who needed assistance, everyone needed help it was the depression. Federal assistance is there for Americans who need it, I don't believe there was a box asking me if I was going to be in a top income bracket in 6+ years, when I didn't have money for food. I payed taxes before school and never received assistance and I will be paying taxes until I die without receiving assistance. Why shouldn't someone use/take advantage of financial support.

Seriously dude everyone's situation is unique and your opinion assumes the contrary. I don't need support but lets say what if i did?
8-5 m-f for school
5-9 taking care of children(3)
9-1 studying
My wife works 40+ hours a weak
When do you suppose I would have time to get a job, who is going to raise my kids, oh yeah I have the weakend I probably don't need to study or enjoy a shread of downtime with my family, I will go to work part time and not watch my kids grow up.

Sorry about the rant I can respect anyones right to struggle without assistance. I just don't appreciate the holier than though attitude some people give out.

 

[clickytop]

Wow! It is amazing that me and my family made it through dental without accepting welfare. Oh wait, its not amazing. I remember how we did it. WE WORKED and didn't accept handouts that were never intended to aid future professionals. Being in professional school is your own decision. You, and your family, make this choice. Do it like everyone else. Get a part time job, take a scholarship, and/or take out loans. FDR would be flipping in his grave if he knew this is how the "New Deal" would end up.

If a loan from the government, whether they are paying the interest for you or merely giving you a very charitable interest rate, or a scholarship aren't handouts, then what would you consider them?

Government aid is intended for those who need help making ends meet...it doesn't matter what kind of income they could be making 10 years from now. The promise of a high paying job in the future doesn't put food on the table today. Why should I take out extra, high interest loans so that I can afford to live while I'm in school...doesn't it make more sense to take the help the government has made available? Especially considering, as jim85213 so eloquently put it, that we are the ones who will be funding these programs in the future.

 

[dddsmack]

.

 

[pmantz]

No DDSmack you aren't especialy when you think of the fact that the goverment is making money off all those loans for school, and you will be paying taxes until you die or retreat to the mountains to live off the land.

 

[jim85213]

Am I way off?

You're not off at all. I say go for it. In fact, thanks for bringing it up because I need to check programs out here before school starts.

 

[youngmc27]

All these people that think they are so much better than the rest of us and have no need for government aid, fine so be it. As a student you don't get loans to pay for expenses of your family they budget for 1 person YOU the student and if you have a family good luck living on 900 a month anywhere let alone in a city like LA. I have no problem accepting help if I need it. My family is more important to me than anything else and if I need Medicaid or food stamps to provide the best way I know how then so be it. I am not going to let my family starve just because of pride or because other students think I am using the system. I will need the hepas much as anyone else does.

 

[DIRTIE]

It can be done to get through dental school, with a family, without mooching off of others. The thing is most people aren't willing to sacrifice is the bottom line. It will always be that way, and actually it is just getting worse with every generation. We can argue until our faces are blue, but the fact is that people have children, then say wait I have no means to pay for these kids, now what. That is where the government steps in to bail you out. Should they? if you decided to go to professional school, I don't know the answer to this question. But I do know that I am not going to be very willing to accept medicaid patients because I have always done my best to be self sufficient and actually save a little, or buy health insurance before its to late, or not buy the nicest car, etc. When I see these people on medicaid, food stamps, etc especially in dental school, where they want to have this perfect little live, where there wife can stay at home and they go to school, and society flips the bill, it kind of makes me sick. Go out and work a little, it won't kill you. I know that everyone has different circumstances, but it just seems to me that most everyone wants something for nothing, oh poor little dental students how sad. Probably most of the students that abuse the system(broken that is), are the same people that won't treat the medicaid patients, ironic huh

All these people that think they are so much better than the rest of us and have no need for government aid, fine so be it. As a student you don't get loans to pay for expenses of your family they budget for 1 person YOU the student and if you have a family good luck living on 900 a month anywhere let alone in a city like LA. I have no problem accepting help if I need it. My family is more important to me than anything else and if I need Medicaid or food stamps to provide the best way I know how then so be it. I am not going to let my family starve just because of pride or because other students think I am using the system. I will need the hepas much as anyone else does.

 

[sunnysideOS]

depends what city you live in and how strict they are with giving out stamps. i have tried this and i dont qualify because one of the requirements is that you have to be currently working. i guess i could persue this but i figured i'd leave the food stamps for people who really need it - like single moms with 20 kids.

 

[spud_gal]

It can be done to get through dental school, with a family, without mooching off of others. The thing is most people aren't willing to sacrifice is the bottom line. It will always be that way, and actually it is just getting worse with every generation. We can argue until our faces are blue, but the fact is that people have children, then say wait I have no means to pay for these kids, now what. That is where the government steps in to bail you out. Should they? if you decided to go to professional school, I don't know the answer to this question. But I do know that I am not going to be very willing to accept medicaid patients because I have always done my best to be self sufficient and actually save a little, or buy health insurance before its to late, or not buy the nicest car, etc. When I see these people on medicaid, food stamps, etc especially in dental school, where they want to have this perfect little live, where there wife can stay at home and they go to school, and society flips the bill, it kind of makes me sick. Go out and work a little, it won't kill you. I know that everyone has different circumstances, but it just seems to me that most everyone wants something for nothing, oh poor little dental students how sad. Probably most of the students that abuse the system(broken that is), are the same people that won't treat the medicaid patients, ironic huh

I totally agree. All of my classmates that are on medicaid and foodstamps have wives that stay at home. They have satellites, big screens, video games, computers, and nice cars because someone else is footing the bill for their medical expenses and food. One of my classmates who doesn't have kids yet is PLANNING a welfare baby. His wife, who works, might stay home for the next year so that they make sure they can qualify for medicaid and food stamps BEFORE getting pregnant. Pretty screwed up if you ask me.

 

[youngmc27]

These programs are there for those people who are trying to better themselves and I think that all of you who think you are to good to ask for help, I guess that is your choice. I happen to have two children and I will be living in LA and if my wife decides to work great if not then that is okay too. If she works all of her check would go to daycare for the two kids anyway so it doesn't really make any sense to work. I think that the programs is there to help anyone who needs it, even dental students. I plan on taking out the maximum in loans but that is not enough to support a family of four in LA where rent is close to $2000 for a two bedroom apt. The school budgets out 1890 a month in persona; expenses how will that pay for insurance for four and $2000 rent. I am not on food stamps right now but I am going to look into it when I get there. I will however not be one of those that refuses to accept medicaid patients. I got into dentistry to help people to live better lives and that includes those that are using government assistance. They need our help more than the guy with insurance and a 200k a year job.

All of you self righteous people don't judge those of us that want to have a mom at home to nuture our children and use the govenrment for help. Look at things from our prespective and then you will see we are doing what needs to be done.

 

[osubum]

Student loans are a form of welfare. The loans are subsidized and have lower interest rates than the rest of the market. The governement has set them up so that students can qualify for loans (most cant qualify for that large of a loan in the free-market and/or the interest rates/fees will be outrageous). Every person recieving these types of loans is recieving assitance from the government. For the government, the money making potential of the money set aside for student loans is much greater than what they earn back in repayment. For people that recieve these loans you have considereably lower debt to pay back than the market would give you at the expense of the government or even they have made an opporutnity available to you that you otherwise could not do (loan qualificiation). Another way to look at this is, the government has given you a check to the amount of the difference of what the market says you should be allowed at X% because you are poor...the government has assisted you because you can not cover your own bills....you are on welfare!

Of course, if you are having a family memeber pay for this (father, mother, brother, sister...even wife/husband) you are still not paying for it yourself...you are recieving a different kind of assistance. The point is, everyone is getting help to get through this. How could I say my form of help is MUCH more ethical than yours when the difference is subtle?

 

[capisce?]

Wow! It is amazing that me and my family made it through dental without accepting welfare. Oh wait, its not amazing. I remember how we did it. WE WORKED and didn't accept handouts that were never intended to aid future professionals. Being in professional school is your own decision. You, and your family, make this choice. Do it like everyone else. Get a part time job, take a scholarship, and/or take out loans. FDR would be flipping in his grave if he knew this is how the "New Deal" would end up.

Amen, a voice of reason. Using the justification that because other students have been given the aid justifies the use doesn't fly by me. You are voluntarily going into that debt and if you need more money then you should take private loans. Regardless of whether or not you can get it, the system was not put into place for this regardless of how you spin it. And it has nothing to do with "being above" each other. If you have kids and are on loans for school and attempt to get loans to live off of and are denied, then you really are in need and I can see the justification. flame away

 

[johntara04]

You knew what would happen when you decided to have kids. You knew that dental school would be expensive. You made all these decisions voluntary, and you should take responsibility for those decisions. There is plenty of money out there for you to get through dental school without going on public assistance. You don't need it. No matter how you spin it to appease your conscious, these were all your decisions that you decided to make, and being a professional student, you are smart enough to know what the consequences of your actions would be.

Taking on the additional responsibilities that you have chosen to take on (wife, children, dental school) are your responsibility and you should face the consequences that come from those choices. When you decided to do these things, you also decided to go without other things. Many have made it through school without public assistance, and you could too if you wanted too. But, like most Americans today, the less accountability for your actions the better.

Well, I think I am done and will get off my soapbox for now. It just sucks to see thousands of dollars taken from my wife's paycheck every month to cut down on a fellow dental student's loan and/or pay for his new 50 inch television or trip back home 4 times a year.

 

[osubum]

It just sucks to see thousands of dollars taken from my wife's paycheck every month to cut down on a fellow dental student's loan and/or pay for his new 50 inch television or trip back home 4 times a year.

Of course every person taking federal loans is contributing to your wife's taxes too! I applaud you and her being completely self sufficient! Really, I do. Not taking out 1cent of loans from the government is truly amazing! Like I said above, these loans are subsidized so if you were taking them you would be a complete hypocrite. ( Your same argument could be made about the loans: if you are smart enough to go to school you should be smart enough to know what it costs and earn the money/qualify for loans/not depend on the federal government to help you before going to school).

I agree with your point about being held accountable for your actions...but it seems to me you want people PUNISHED for having more in their lives than a career (ie a family)! These programs are set in place just like federal loans are...to help people make them selves better. This enables most of us to rise above the economical and educational status we were born into. Although, once my family gets on top…I'll switch my view to yours so we can always remain on top (class-systems are cool😀)

 

[pmantz]

Well, I think I am done and will get off my soapbox for now. It just sucks to see thousands of dollars taken from my wife's paycheck every month to cut down on a fellow dental student's loan and/or pay for his new 50 inch television or trip back home 4 times a year.

Thousands of dollars a month in withheld taxes, your wife must have a really great job or your exaggerating a bit. Do you even know what percentage of tax income goes to welfare, its very small in comparison to say the military budget. You assume everyone is using the government to fund a super posh lifestyle, I have one 27 inch tube I bought 10 years ago when I moved out of my parents home. Living is expensive especialy when you have children. I respect your point that we all chose to have families and pursue a professional career. I didn't start college until after I had my first child and realized I wanted more for myself and my family. I am just dumbfounded where people draw these moral standards on receiving support from the government. Should I feel guilty for the 1000's of dollars in grants that I got as an undergrad. No body want to ask for handouts but some people have to.

It is easy to cast blame and judge profesional students for taking aid. Maybe people who never took aid (may have qualified for it) because when it came down to it they had other options... they didn't have to. Two years ago my wife and I had to, we had no other options. We had no relatives to help out with the kids so we could work part time, or ability to borrow extra money. Granted that was then when I was an undergrad, now as a grad student I have more options as far as loans go. Luckily now we have insurance through my wifes job and where my wife's income falls short we have loans to make up for the rest.

I guess just don't make generalizations about people who use government aid. I remember the difference in the way my family was treated at the doctor when we finally got insurance. I thought the front desk treated everyone rudely, no just people on medicaid. It wasn't fun using an EBT card, especialy when the magnetic strip went out and every cashier had to put the numbers in by hand.

 

[johntara04]

I should of never posted in this thread, but it was late and I was in a pissy mood and looking to vent on something I did. This topic is like politics, religion, etc. It doesn't matter what I say or you say, opinions won't change. You guys do what you gotta do to get through the night, and I'll do what I gotta do to sleep good at night. Good luck with whatever you need to do.

 

[pmantz]

I should of never posted in this thread, but it was late and I was in a pissy mood and looking to vent on something I did. This topic is like politics, religion, etc. It doesn't matter what I say or you say, opinions won't change. You guys do what you gotta do to get through the night, and I'll do what I gotta do to sleep good at night. Good luck with whatever you need to do.

This topic is politics. I would bet a lot of the people who are against students taking aid, are against aid in the first place. This is clearly a political issue, it will not be resolved anytime soon in DC, or on a silly thread on SDN. No hard feelings John you are doing what everybody else is doing, voicing your opinion. Yeah America!!!!!!!!!!

 

[clickytop]

My political science professor in college used to say "Opinions are like a$$holes; everyone has one, and everyone else's stinks."

 

[jim85213]

My political science professor in college used to say "Opinions are like a$$holes; everyone has one, and everyone else's stinks."

That's funny because my football coach used to say, "Excuses are like @ssholes; everybody has one and they stink."

Sorry to derail the topic.....proceed..........

 

[dddsmack]

..

 

[gryffindor]

Hmmm, I wonder if being in a residency with 0 income, and only private loans available to me for financial aid (ineligible for government loans), would I qualify for food stamps? Actually, many of my co-residents have families and have taken those private loans out the wazoo to pay for this residency, but I don't know if they receive food stamps/medicaid. Maybe. A lot of us are just part of the boomerang generation crowd and have families helping us out financially. I've treated many patients on medicaid over the past 3 years and for highly educated dental students to be abusing government aid (like some of the anecdotes given in this thread), well, I don't think it's right. Of course everyone's situation is different. But for those with the big screens, deluxe cable & internet, gas-guzzling cars, kids with the newest clothes and electronic gizmos, and mortgages in the nice suburbs who are swiping the EBT cards at the supermarket, it's just more evidence that the system is broken.

 

[johntara04]

.

 

[leelee]

Student loans are a form of welfare. The loans are subsidized and have lower interest rates than the rest of the market. The governement has set them up so that students can qualify for loans (most cant qualify for that large of a loan in the free-market and/or the interest rates/fees will be outrageous). Every person recieving these types of loans is recieving assitance from the government. For the government, the money making potential of the money set aside for student loans is much greater than what they earn back in repayment. For people that recieve these loans you have considereably lower debt to pay back than the market would give you at the expense of the government or even they have made an opporutnity available to you that you otherwise could not do (loan qualificiation). Another way to look at this is, the government has given you a check to the amount of the difference of what the market says you should be allowed at X% because you are poor...the government has assisted you because you can not cover your own bills....you are on welfare!

Of course, if you are having a family memeber pay for this (father, mother, brother, sister...even wife/husband) you are still not paying for it yourself...you are recieving a different kind of assistance. The point is, everyone is getting help to get through this. How could I say my form of help is MUCH more ethical than yours when the difference is subtle?

OK student loans are not welfare. Student loans are Loans. You borrow and then PAY THEM BACK!!! Unlike welfare, where you take and don't pay anything back. Ginormous difference.

 

[DIRTIE]

Even sweeter than food stamps,medicaid, 1/2 price phone bills, and utilities paid (all paid for by our great tax payers in America) is free housing. So in some of those select cities (NY areas, Milwaukee, etc. if you have 1 or more children you also get your housing paid for.
So if you add up all of that it is roughly 25K a year= 100K for free to go to get a doctorate degree so you can have a better life. It is very interesting when you step back and look at the big picture.

later

 

[pmantz]

Even sweeter than food stamps,medicaid, 1/2 price phone bills, and utilities paid (all paid for by our great tax payers in America) is free housing. So in some of those select cities (NY areas, Milwaukee, etc. if you have 1 or more children you also get your housing paid for.
So if you add up all of that it is roughly 25K a year= 100K for free to go to get a doctorate degree so you can have a better life. It is very interesting when you step back and look at the big picture.

later

Its just that easy folks and that clear cut. We all should feel ashamed of ourselves....

Exuse me your figures are grossly out of proportion and you assume qualifying for government assistence is that easy, just have a kid and you get everything for free. The government doesn't pay for phone bills😕 Please inform yourself before you post. I am just utterly confused why people think that all there tax dollars go to government aid programs. Only a small percentage goes to any kind of welfare, most goes to schools, roads, pork, wire taps, and lets not forget over half of our tax dollars goes to the military. Kind of funny that the US has only a little over 5% of the worlds population, but we spend 50% of what the world does on defense.

 

[leelee]

I am just utterly confused why people think that all there tax dollars go to government aid programs.

Where did you get the idea that people think all their tax dollars go to federal aid? Nobody said that.

 

[leelee]

Like I said above, these loans are subsidized so if you were taking them you would be a complete hypocrite.

Nobody is a hypocrite for taking federal loans, even subsidized. The whole idea in having loans is that you pay them back!!! This is unlike other programs such as welfare--you don't pay anything back.

 

[jfitzpat]

Nobody is a hypocrite for taking federal loans, even subsidized. The whole idea in having loans is that you pay them back!!! This is unlike other programs such as welfare--you don't pay anything back.

You're missing their point. Sure you pay back the amount you borrowed, but what about all that lost interest for the federal government. The point is that the government is losing money when they federally subsidize a loan. It is no different monetarily than just giving you free cash (like welfare).

 

[pmantz]

Where did you get the idea that people think all their tax dollars go to federal aid? Nobody said that.

I am sorry I didn't mean to misrepresent anyone in this thread, I guess since I am for social programs for everyone I just got carried away. Welfare is such a small piece of the pie I guess I don't think the few pennies of every tax dollar is that big of a deal and if people can use the system and then pay it back (many times over) whats the big deal??

 

[osubum]

Thanks jfitzpat...finally someone is understanding how the real world of loans works.
To the rest of you, go back to what I said earlier and re-read it. Here is the jist of it: You take out money that you otherwise couldn't(the market would not lend to you or it would with higher rates and a very low cieling=not enough money to attend school). The government subsidizes your interest rate AND gives you a better rate than the market with fewer fees. The amount you pay back to the feds, compared to what you would have to pay to the free market, is A LOT less! This IS welfare. They gave you money to better yourself.

I personally would try hard to not take welfare, as I am sure the many that end up recieving had tried. This is because I have a mental picture of me taking tiny-tim's share. However, this does not give me the right to bash those families that need it...especialy when I am recieving a different form of welfare (federal loans). It has something to do with a glass house and throwing stones.

 

[johntara04]

The government doesn't pay for phone bills😕 Please inform yourself before you post.

So, what is cash assistance for? To pay bills.

 

[johntara04]

Oh yeah, Johntara04's wife is a dental hygenist. Unless she works for a very generous dentist, I highly doubt she has THOUSANDS of dollars taken out each month.

We pay $1800+ a month in taxes. So maybe not thousands, but close.

 

[DIRTIE]

It really is that easy, besides you need to trade in your 2 cars , for one sweet 4-runner. Every state is different, here in Nevada they will pay for half of your phone bill also. In Wisconsin, so you only get 400$ in food stamps, 1K in free rent, 100$ for utilities, 400 for medicaid(atleast that is at least how much insurance like that would cost, plus all of the free milk and everything else with wic). Don't tell me it is so hard to get all of this because I know that it isn't.

Its just that easy folks and that clear cut. We all should feel ashamed of ourselves....

Exuse me your figures are grossly out of proportion and you assume qualifying for government assistence is that easy, just have a kid and you get everything for free. The government doesn't pay for phone bills😕 Please inform yourself before you post. I am just utterly confused why people think that all there tax dollars go to government aid programs. Only a small percentage goes to any kind of welfare, most goes to schools, roads, pork, wire taps, and lets not forget over half of our tax dollars goes to the military. Kind of funny that the US has only a little over 5% of the worlds population, but we spend 50% of what the world does on defense.

 

[TucsonDDS]

I know a few at my school receiving food stamps and eating steaks while watching hi-def on their 50 inch tv's. That is definitely not right. Now when a single mom is trying to get through school or a student has an ill child that prevents their spouse from working I have no problem whatsoever with them receiving all what ever aid is available and I don't think there are many people on this board that would argue that. However this isn't the case for the majority of dental students. All of the classmates that I know who recieve food stamp and other aid have healthy kids and wives that could join the majority of americans and work for a living. I have 2 kids ages 3 and 5. The only aid we get is Healthy NY which is low priced health insurance. Both my wife and I work and our kids go to school. Now the idea of student loans being a form of welfare is just purely stupid. Tell me another investment that will provide the government a return on the money that turns 5-10K in subsidized interest into a productive member of society providing a desperately needed service while paying $30,000-$150,000 per year in taxes. If I could subsidize a $32,000 loan for someone for 4 years and know that I would be receiving at least a 100% annual return on my money in the near future for the remainder of that person's life I would do it in an instant. So no, student loans are not welfare and it is just obsurd to think of it as such. Now foodstamps for someone who is just using the system is abuse of the system and that person should be ashamed of themselves for taking it.

 

[johntara04]

I know a few at my school receiving food stamps and eating steaks while watching hi-def on their 50 inch tv's. That is definitely not right. Now when a single mom is trying to get through school or a student has an ill child that prevents their spouse from working I have no problem whatsoever with them receiving all what ever aid is available and I don't think there are many people on this board that would argue that. However this isn't the case for the majority of dental students. All of the classmates that I know who recieve food stamp and other aid have healthy kids and wives that could join the majority of americans and work for a living. I have 2 kids ages 3 and 5. The only aid we get is Healthy NY which is low priced health insurance. Both my wife and I work and our kids go to school. Now the idea of student loans being a form of welfare is just purely stupid. Tell me another investment that will provide the government a return on the money that turns 5-10K in subsidized interest into a productive member of society providing a desperately needed service while paying $30,000-$150,000 per year in taxes. If I could subsidize a $32,000 loan for someone for 4 years and know that I would be receiving at least a 100% annual return on my money in the near future for the remainder of that person's life I would do it in an instant. So no, student loans are not welfare and it is just obsurd to think of it as such. Now foodstamps for someone who is just using the system is abuse of the system and that person should be ashamed of themselves for taking it.

Took the words out of my mouth. Thank you.

 

[pmantz]

It really is that easy, besides you need to trade in your 2 cars , for one sweet 4-runner. Every state is different, here in Nevada they will pay for half of your phone bill also. In Wisconsin, so you only get 400$ in food stamps, 1K in free rent, 100$ for utilities, 400 for medicaid(atleast that is at least how much insurance like that would cost, plus all of the free milk and everything else with wic). Don't tell me it is so hard to get all of this because I know that it isn't.

You guys have a lot of excess revenue from the Gambling Industry. Its not that easy, my household income falls below the maximum net in order to qualify. But because I don't work 32hrs we can't get any help. So we are taking out private loans.

I can't believe everyone has left out the fact that most D-schools are located in places with high costs of living which require two avg. incomes per household. I don't think Grad+ qualifies as an avg. income.

 

[osubum]

TucsonDDS, I got a couple Q's: Do all people who receive food stamps in D-school eat steak (is it possible some are vegetarian)? Are you sure they all have at least a 50" High def...what if it was just 50"? Maybe even some of them do not watch TV. My point is, people tend to see what they want. You want to see people exploiting foodstamps...magically you do and use these 3 or 4 data points as a world truth. I hardly think that is logical.

Further proof student loans are welfare: If you die, can not finish, or cut off a hand (something to keep you from working), the government can only pursue you and your estate. They are NON-transferable to any family member, that does not mean they can not asks, just means they have no legal grounds to sue your beneficiaries (ie wife/husband) for the remainder or your loan...which is not true for other loans. as far as your statement "Tell me another investment that will provide the government a return on the money that turns 5-10K in subsidized interest into a productive member of society providing a desperately needed service while paying $30,000-$150,000 per year in taxes." I would respond with ummm, lets see....this may be stretching it a bit....Ohhh thats right, the idea behind welfare is to provide a very small assistance to a family on the spot (say 5-10K) so that they can get back into the market and become a productive earner (a limitless amount). That is, unless your argument is that people should remain on welfare for the rest of their life and never ever contribute back (this is whole different idea than what the nation has for welfare). There are many plumbers, construction workers, and other trade laborers that have gone through this exact situation...it is not unique to dentistry. Your argument about taxes on your income as the return of investment is so flawed I dont know where to start...There is not guarantee the person will make anywhere near those numbers...Even if you use those numbers, plenty of other people (outside of dentistry) do the same with welfare (use it to get through a tight spot then go on to make a good amount of money) making it equatable to federal loans.

I think the hardest thing in life, is too look at a situation from an opposite point of view without using your own bias as proof. I have no kids and it looks like my wife can put me through school. I have no reason to argue against you, other than experience tells me you are bashing people because of your double standard.

 

[youngmc27]

Amen. I totally agree with you