My Experience as a New Transfer in a Pandemic

Struggling through financial hardship as a student at CSULB.

By Gustavo Buenrostro

rom the obvious pandemic to my own personal financial troubles, my first semester at CSULB was rough. Like many people, I didn’t take COVID seriously. My friends and I would say things like, “it's no big deal” and just make jokes about it. Only one of my friends saw the reality of it [but] we just kind of brushed him off. Then the stay-at-home orders came and we weren’t laughing anymore.

First spring break was moved up, then it was made into two weeks, then they announced when we came back, classes would be online. Since I was transferring that semester, it made things difficult for me but I was still able to make deadlines except for my financial aid.

Long Beach required some forms from the IRS and I only had two weeks to get them, so I mailed the IRS. They said they would get it back to me in 5-10 business days. I thought, “Okay, I might make the deadline.” I didn’t.

The IRS did not send me the form. I signed up for my classes and I was going to have to pay for my tuition since I wasn’t getting financial aid. I couldn't even get loans without those IRS forms. The fall semester was beginning and I opted for the installment plan, although it was still a lot of money that I didn’t have. Luckily, my family helped out with the first payment, but I had to figure out how to get my financial aid situation in order.

The first month of the semester came and went and my next payment was coming up. I was freaking out. Not to mention, I did not have my books for my classes. I called the guy that did my taxes to see if he could help me. He sent me the form [and] I submitted it to the school but they said it would take a week for them to process it, passing my payment date. I decided to not pay and just hope that my form got processed.

A few days after the payment day I got an email saying it was the wrong form. I did not know what to do. I was in my room, stressing out over what else I could try. My sister came in and told me, “Well did you try calling the IRS office in LA?” I told her I had already tried but she said that I only mailed them. I calledthem and the person who worked there was able to get the correct form sent to me in just a few days.

When I got it, I sent it to the school and got my financial aid approved and was able to pay my tuition. I could not believe how easy it was to just call and ask for what I needed. I felt like an idiot, but I had a huge weight off my shoulders and was able to enjoy the rest of my semester. Unfortunately, I still have not been to the campus physically and so it does not really feel like I’m a part of the school yet. It still feels like I am in transition. Part of me is glad because I do not have to commute but the other part really wants to feel like I am a part of the environment and community there. The school does a good job at trying to get people involved with online activities but it just is not the same.

When I think back to my first semester, it will be nothing but stress by the unfortunate financial troubles that were caused by my own incompetence and the lack of connection I felt.

Although, there is still time to feel like I am a part of the university [so] when we are allowed back, I will try to engage with the community.