Debt and college are two things that seem to go hand in hand. State of State and the Schreyer Honors College wish to discuss the monetary stress that can come along with a Penn State education this evening in their panel, “The Financial Struggle is Real.”

The free interactive event will start at 7 p.m. in 104 Thomas. The panel, featuring student and professional speakers alike, will discuss student poverty and the financial struggle of going through college.

The panel’s speakers will include Project Cahir President Emil Cunningham, Lion’s Pantry President Alex Mendonca, UPUA President Anand Ganjam, and Anne Grybowski, a student aid coordinator from the Office of Student Aid.

According to State of State Community Relations Director Kate Taylor, each speaker will have five minutes to discuss his or her respective topics, and there will be a question-and-answer session after the panelists finish speaking. Taylor said the panel will give the Penn State community a chance to “start a conversation regarding student finances and student poverty.”

“By getting a lot of relevant stakeholders in the same room and giving students access to them, we hope that a discussion will emerge that will get students thinking about this issue,” Taylor said.

With tuition for undergraduates ranging around $17,000 a year right now, this would be an opportunity for students to ask questions and discuss the financial struggle many Penn Staters are facing right now.