Imagine being a college student and suddenly getting $1,000 every month to help with food, rent, books, or even taking care of your family. Sounds amazing, right? This is happening for some students in Los Angeles through a program called BOOST. But the sad part is that high school students—who also need help—are left out. Let’s understand why this matters and how it makes many students feel.
What Is the BOOST Program?
BOOST stands for Building Outstanding Opportunities for Students to Thrive. It’s a program at four community colleges in Los Angeles. It gives $1,000 every month for one whole year to 250–251 students studying health-related subjects like nursing or therapy . This support is unconditional, which means students can spend it any way they want—no rules attached .
Who Benefits?
Students at East LA College, LA City College, LA Trade-Technical College, and LA Southwest College are part of the program . The program focuses on low-income students who really need it. To make sure the research is fair, some students get the money and others don’t. This helps researchers see how much of a difference the program makes .
How Does the Money Help?
The extra money has made a big difference:
- Paying rent and bills easily
- Buying food and school supplies without stress
- Giving single parents breathing room—like Adriana Orea, a nursing student, who says: “I can literally just concentrate on studying”
- Saving money for emergencies or future goals
This cash support feels like a warm hug when bills pile up or homework deadlines loom.
Why Aren’t High School Students Getting It?
Here’s the painful part: even though high school students face money problems too, this program doesn’t include them. Only college students are getting this help right now. This makes many high schoolers feel left out—like they aren’t “official” enough to deserve help, though they study, stress, and still need support.
What Experts Think
Research shows guaranteed income helps students do better in school and feel less stressed . BOOST is the biggest program for community colleges, and data being collected shows promising results. Still, some critics worry about cost, but supporters argue that this kind of help pays itself back when students graduate and join the workforce.
What Could Happen Next?
BOOST is being closely watched. If it continues to help students, similar programs might begin in other cities—or maybe even for high school students. The road ahead will show whether giving $1,000 a month can become a fair tool to lift up more students.
For those college students, $1,000 each month is a real relief. It unburdens them from financial worries and helps them focus on their future. But high school students who face the same struggles—missing meals, not affording exam fees, or helping family—are not getting this support. It’s a reminder that even good programs can leave people out. If we want fairness for all young learners, we must push to expand this kind of help. Teens, no matter their school level, deserve support when life gets hard. Programs like BOOST show how cash aid can change lives—but only if we don’t forget anyone.
FAQs
Q: Who is getting the $1,000 stimulus in the BOOST program?
A: Only 250 college students studying health at LA community colleges get the monthly $1,000 boost—high school students are still waiting.
Q: Can high school teens join the BOOST cash program?
A: No—BOOST is only for college students, leaving high school teens feeling forgotten and worried about money.
Q: Do the cash payments have rules on how to use them?
A: No, the payments are unconditional—students can spend the money however they need to—for rent, food, or school supplies.
Q: How long will the BOOST payments last?
A: Students will receive $1,000 every month from November 2024 through October 2025—12 months of help.
