This year it is no secret that the economy has taken a downturn. The Bush administration has implemented an economic stimulus plan.
In May, the government is sending an economic stimulus check to eligible citizens, which includes more than 130 million homes, according to the Internal Revenue Service Web site.
The check will be $600 to each single person and $1,200 for married couples. On top of that, citizens will receive an extra $300 per dependent underage child in their household.
A valid Social Security number is necessary, and you must file a tax return for last year. This is also available to those who are usually exempt from filing tax returns.
The problem is that many college students who could certainly use the stimulus payment are not eligible. If you can be claimed as a dependent, you are not eligible, according to the IRS Web site.
“I think that this is a big jip because college students need that money just as much, if not more, than everyone else,” said senior marketing major Melanie Barker, “my parents are not going to get that money for me and I am not going to get it either because I am too old to qualify for them and too young to receive it myself.”
Even if you are a student that has lived on your own, pay your own bills, and receive absolutely no help from your parents, you can still be counted as their dependent if you are younger than 24.
And your parents do not even receive the extra $300 since you are older than 17.
The government is hoping that this stimulus money will make people go out and buy something to stimulate the economy.
The recent commercials urging Tennesseans to go to stores and buy something because there is nothing to worry about is certainly evidence of this idea. But many people need the money just to pay off some of their bills.
“I am probably going to use it to pay down my credit cards, that is what I really need to do instead of going shopping,” said graduate Shannon Hutchins.
With record gas prices affecting everything from utility bills to grocery bills, many people cannot afford to buy anything but the necessities.
Meat prices dramatically rose last week with the gas prices, which rose by 17 cents in a matter of hours in certain places.
Electricity bills are evidence of this price jump as well.
“My electric bill was the highest it has ever been since I have lived in my apartment for the past two years, and because of the good weather I have not even turned the heat or air conditioning on once the entire month,” said senior dental hygiene major Ashley Loy, “if I were eligible for that money, it would go straight to the bills. I have not been able to afford shopping for things that weren’t absolutely necessary all year.

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