Increased tuition, reduced state funding and a slow economy are forcing some Penn State students to work almost full-time to pay for school.

Melody Pearson (senior-psychology) works 30 to 40 hours a week to pay for tuition, rent and other bills.

"I actually work two jobs," Pearson said. "I also have 16.5 credits."

Pearson said she does not think there are enough financial aid programs available to students.

"There definitely should be more programs out there. It's perpetuating the working class," she said. "I didn't have time to take the GREs because I had to work. Other people are working towards their future, and I'm trying to hang on to the present."

Bob Snyder, Office of Student Aid administrative services director, said the average undergraduate student graduate is $18,600 in debt. He added 79 percent of students receive some form of student aid, and 2,238 students received work-study during the last school year.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said tuition rates for the next academic year have not been decided yet.

"The hardship that tuition increases place on any student is taken into consideration," Kendig said. "The best thing students can do is lobby their legislators for additional funds. We have two sources of income -- tuition and state appropriation dollars."

Students are being encouraged by the Undergraduate Student Government to attend the annual Rally in the Rotunda on March 15, when Penn State students will travel to the Capitol Building in Harrisburg to rally for more state funding from legislators.

Pearson said she does not think she would be able to lobby legislators in any way.

"I don't have time. If I'm not working, I have homework to do," she said.

Jenna McNees (sophomore-mathematics education) said she currently works three jobs to cover the cost of college.

"I wish [I could have] one more grant or loan," she said. "[Tuition increases] make me nervous. I don't know if I'm going to get enough money to pay for tuition."

However, between jobs at the Olive Garden, 1945 Waddle Road, the Center for Performing Arts and grading math papers, McNees said time for other things is tight.

Stephen Marencic (junior-English) said he works at the Eisenhower Box Office to pay for school and rent.

"I work about 50 hours a week. My parents took out a loan, but it's in my name, so I have to pay for it," he said. "I'm not resentful. It's just what I have to do."

Marencic said he has gone with Penn State groups to lobby for more funding.

"I think it kind of does [make an impact], but not really," he said. "I don't know what the cutoff [for financial aid] is, but I'm getting less aid than I should."

Snyder said no special aid is given to students who are paying for their own education.

"We have some institutional scholarships, but we're mostly on the federal and state level," he said.