College of the Ozarks

From the moment you hear the nickname given to College of the Ozarks, it will become obvious what this school is all about. Long known as 'Hard Work U', College of the Ozarks is nestled into the Missouri Ozarks. This college is very different than most colleges and it is the unique system that draws in students.

Created for low income students, College of the Ozarks is a place where every student has an on campus job. Each student works 15 hours a week and in return their college tuition is paid for in full. As a student of College of the Ozarks there is no need for college loans. Students are required to pay for their room and board, but there is also a way to work for this. The school offers a summer work program. You can work half the summer to pay off one semester of room and board, or the whole summer to pay for your entire room and board. Summer work hours are 40 hour weeks.

There are many jobs available on campus. Students can work in the campus offices, cafeteria, fruitcake kitchen, warehouse, construction, dairy farm, and more. There is a campus restaurant, stained glass shop, and graphic art office. The jobs are endless and there is something for everyone. Of course, as freshmen you are most likely to end up in a job that you don't care for. If you work hard and get good grades, the next semester you can select a different job.

Because of the school's well known work program, you can easily get a job once graduating from College of the Ozarks. Employers understand that you have worked your way through college and they know the school's work program has instilled good work values in you.

Of course, every school has it's downside and College of the Ozarks is not perfect. One of the most contriversaly issues with students is the practice of locking up freshmen vehicles during the week. The school has experienced a high drop out rates in college freshmen. They discovered that these students were getting jobs outside of campus and had not yet learned out to handle school, the campus job, and the outside job. They began locking cars up in a gated lot and found that it improved the rate of students who stayed in school after their first year. While this practice is hard to get used to, it isn't so bad. Freshmen become friends with upper classmen and can easily get a ride off campus. At 5 pm on Friday the gate is unlocked and then locked back Sunday night at midnight.

Over all, they system works and is a great way to spend your college career. Most people do not get the opportunity to finish their college career debt free. College of the Ozarks stystem provides quality, debt free education for their students. Knowing that you worked and earned your degree is rewarding as well.