To the Editors:

I am one of the unfortunate students whose level of destitution reaches the point at which all of my approximately $24,000-per-year in tuition and expenses is fully paid for by loans, TAP, and other sources of financial aid. I now have a lot of money in loans that need to be paid back, but thanks to the Economic Hardship Deferment plan, for which I was approved, my loans do not have to be paid for a while.

Yeshiva University's Office of Student Finances has recently informed me that thanks to some fantastic calculation, they see that I have a balance of $1,000. Instead of arguing the balance on how/what/where and when, I asked Yeshiva University if it would be possible for me to either take out a loan for this money or have it deferred, which I have been able to arrange for various other outstanding loans. I spoke to Jean Belmont, who said, "It is not our policy to do this." She said that since I am out of Yeshiva University, there are no programs that exist that can help me.

I told Ms. Belmont that I would be more than happy to acknowledge the $1,000 debt and hopefully one day make a contribution of many times that amount, but presently, I am not in the position to further bury myself in debt. She referred me back to "It's not our policy." She also said she did not have the authority to do such things and led me to Mr. Spolansky. Sadly, a day later he came back and said that it cannot be done. After all the enjoyment and benefits I have received from Yeshiva University, Student Finances was there to leave me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Every semester, in appreciation of the generous donations given that allow me to attend Yeshiva University, Student Finances would send a letter to me requesting that I write a "thank you" note showing my Hakaras Hatov. I gladly did this and painstakingly wrote, to the best of my ability, a letter that I felt the donor's would appreciate.

The donors to whom I would write set aside millions of dollars for students who need the money in order to attend Yeshiva University. A good portion of the money is set aside for students whose financial situation - coupled with Yeshiva's hefty tuition bill - would prevent them from receiving such a fine combination of secular and Torah study. Where, may I ask, is all this money that the donors provide going? If I am not worthy of financial aid, to whom exactly is this money going?

I remember when The Commentator published an article when Mr. Harris, who at the time was the head of Student Finances, had to retire. Ms. Belmont was taking over and was asked if she thought she would be able to provide the same degree of support for students for which Mr. Harris was known for. Of course, she said yes. Ms. Belmont, "It's not our policy" does not quite demonstrate an endorsement of the supportive policies you claimed you would adopt when you were named Director.

Aaron Cohen
YC '01