College is expensive. I think everyone knows that.

What if we had to pay even more? Well, some schools try to make that happen.

My dad went to college. He receives a lot of letters in the mail from his college's alumni association asking him to consider donating some money (or even an "annual gift").

These letters are certainly annoying, but they aren't completely unreasonable. Why? He has a stable job and might be able to donate some money.

Why do I, a current college student, get those letters and e-mails? Sure, I'll fill out a survey about how much I love Temple during Philanthropy Week, but please don't ask me to donate. I have to graduate first!

I am lucky my parents can pay for my tuition, but others aren't as lucky. These students also receive these e-mails asking for donations, which probably makes them feel awful. It just furthers the idea that colleges want to drain students of their hard-earned money.

Please save the pleas for donations until later in my life when I get a job and earn enough to donate money.

It makes no sense to donate to something (or someone) that is simultaneously draining your bank account. You wouldn't donate to a hospital during a hospital stay, even if they provided you with excellent care. It doesn't matter. You need to focus on paying what you owe to them first.

I just don't get it. Us college students have much more to worry about than donations. In fact, I think colleges are asking the wrong people. If the entire student body receives e-mails about donating to their school, 100 of those students might donate. Is it really cost-efficient to reach out to us anyway?

I understand why a lot of people donate to their colleges; they are simply grateful for the experiences they had and want to make sure that other students can experience the same. If I had the money, I'd donate.

I don't have that money, and I won't for a while.

I'm sorry, Temple, but you're guilty of this. I love you, but I don't love your tactics to get money.

Unfortunately, you're making a lot of us frustrated. Stop asking us for donations while we are breaking our banks to attend.

Sincerely,

A Fed Up College Student