Empty wallet | Photo by Grace Ramsdell | The Wright State Guardian
People received the first stimulus check in April of 2020 and the second in Dec. 2020. College students who were claimed on their guardian’s taxes were excluded from the two $600 checks. While students’ guardians had a tax break from claiming them, college students who worked through the pandemic feel cheated.
The stimulus checks
Peoples Bank Manager Bradley Brookhart receives questions about the stimulus checks regularly.
“I have received dozens of phone calls mainly regarding when and why they have not received their stimulus check. We typically respond that the IRS has indicated they are starting with direct deposit and then moving into mailing checks. If you are unsure of how you will receive your stimulus, it is recommended to visit irs.gov and look up that information,” said Brookhart.
According to Brookhart, people who are U.S. citizens that make less than $75,000 a year are eligible to receive the check. However, those who are claimed as dependents do not qualify.
Married couples who make less than $150,000 a year are also eligible for the checks and those who have children that are 17 or younger were given $600 per child.
Student opinions
Wright State University (WSU) students like Trinity Rammel are unable to receive the stimulus check.
According to Rammel, they would use the money to help pay for their college debt and gas money. Rammel cannot have the stimulus check because their mother claims them on taxes. Because Rammel still lives at home and is also over the age of 17, their mother does not receive the extra funds.
“Personally, I have continued working throughout this entire pandemic. So, I am aware that I have not been unemployed due to the situation, and for that I am thankful. However, with that being said, I have never received any hazard pay either. I am also a college student and I’m sure others can agree with me that we are struggling,” said Rammel.
Junior English major Megan Chappie is wary of the handouts from the government. Chappie does not qualify for the stimulus checks, but understands that the coronavirus has hit others harder than them.
“I’m a trifle wary of handouts from the government, but I understand that the 2020 chaos hit a lot of people a lot harder than it hit me, so I guess it’s a good idea. As long as we save it for times of crisis and don’t make it a regular habit…because at a certain point, I feel like that could slip into something akin to socialism,” said Chappie.
