When Adriana Orea first received an email about the Los Angeles Community College District’s new guaranteed basic income program, she was skeptical. The program, known as BOOST (Building Outstanding Opportunities for Students to Thrive), offered participants $1,000 a month for one year with no strings attached. Orea initially thought it was too good to be true and dismissed it as a scam. However, after confirming the legitimacy of the program, she decided to apply and was one of 251 students selected for BOOST.
BOOST was specifically designed for students pursuing health careers at four of the district’s campuses: East L.A. College, L.A. City College, L.A. Southwest College, and L.A. Trade-Technical College. The program aims to address the gap between students’ expenses and the high cost of living in the region, while also meeting the demand for healthcare professionals in the job market. Participants received their first installment of $1,000 around Thanksgiving, strategically timed to help them through finals and the holiday season.
For students like Orea, who is working towards becoming a registered nurse while also caring for her 2-year-old son, the financial burden can be overwhelming. Despite her years of experience in the healthcare industry, balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities can be challenging. Orea is determined to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse, even though the financial strain can be daunting, especially as a single parent.
The BOOST payment provided Orea with some relief, allowing her to pay off medical bills and address dental issues that she had been putting off due to the high costs involved. The extra income not only helped her cover essential expenses but also gave her the opportunity to plan a special outing for her son, something she wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.
Brenda Olazava, another student in the BOOST program, used her first payment to cover rent and purchase necessities for her family. The financial support provided by the program not only alleviates immediate financial stress but also restores a sense of dignity and stability for participants, allowing them to focus on their education and future goals.
Looking ahead, Orea plans to save as much of the BOOST payments as possible to create a financial cushion for herself and her son. She is also taking advantage of financial literacy workshops offered at her campus to learn how to manage her money more effectively and make informed decisions about her finances. By cultivating a new relationship with money and investing in her financial education, Orea hopes to secure a more stable future for herself and her family.
The BOOST program is part of a growing trend of guaranteed income initiatives across the country, with the potential to provide valuable insights into the impact of financial support on students’ academic success and overall well-being. As program leaders continue to study the outcomes of BOOST and explore ways to support students beyond the monthly payments, they hope to empower participants to make informed decisions about their education and future career paths.
