Shannon Ryker | Jan. 27, 2009
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| Photo by Shannon Ryker |
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Kimberly Clements is returning to school to pursue her degree in journalism. A scholarship from the IU Credit Union is helping pay her way. |
For Kimberly Clements balancing has become a daily routine. Clements, 31, is a nontraditional returning student working towards her journalism degree while also raising a family. In addition to juggling home responsibilities, the finances are challenging.
“I’m not currently working, so my school is being paid through scholarships and grants,” said Clements.
A grant last year through the Indiana University Credit Union helps. IUCU gives out $20,000 a year to its members who are nontraditional part-time and full-time students who attend Indiana University. These students also must be “returning,” meaning they have had an interruption of two or more years in between their school attendance.
“We want our members to succeed. With the rising tuition, books and fees, there just isn’t adequate funding for students, which is why we offer the scholarships,” said David Sipes, vice president of marketing and business development at the Indiana University Credit Union. Scholarships for those attending IU are $2,150 for full-time students and $1,100 for part-timers.
Returning students looking to apply for an IU Credit Union scholarship complete an application and write an essay.
“The scholarship is really more of an essay contest. It really is a tough process every year selecting the winners,” said Sipes. The committee members judging the essays look for a variety of qualities, including the students’ dreams and aspirations, and their career plans.
The aim of the scholarship is to provide financial relief to “working adults balancing everything,” said Sipes.
After working for 10 years, Clements decided to go back to school, but she knew that it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.
“I was living in Washington, D.C., when I decided to go back to school. I knew I was young enough to still do what I wanted to do,” said Clements.
After high school, Clements starting working in banking in Bloomington, which eventually lead her to work in Washington, D.C.
“The pace in D.C. is so different from Bloomington. Between commuting, working and picking up my daughter, every day was a 13-hour day,” said Clements.
Clements’ long days wouldn’t end in D.C., however. She decided to return to Bloomington to get her degree. She started taking a few classes at Ivy Tech and eventually transferred into Indiana University, where the days proved to be just as long as they were in D.C.
“I have to balance a school life and a family life. When I get done with classes, I have to go home and make dinner, do laundry and take care of my kids. Then I have school work. There are a lot of late nights,” said Clements.
Clements has challenges inside the classroom as well.
“I feel like the professors aren’t always speaking to me directly,” said Clements. “Most of the students in my classes are 11 years younger than me. They are talking about what to do when they get to the real world, and I’m already there.”
Despite the challenges inside and outside the classroom, Clements is committed to doing what she loves, she said. She hopes to work in political communications or for a non-profit organization.
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