I am sure that some people can make it on their own. But many more cannot. I know that I have studied very hard and last summer I worked 60-80 hours a week. After rent and bills there was still barely anything left over! I am lucky that I have outside help from my family and the government because there is no way that I could make any kind of good grades while trying to feed myself by working 40 hours a week. Besides people honestly working hard at a full time job should be able to afford rent and food. I worked full time (yes, above the CA minimum wage) and was not able to afford the basic needs on my own. Do I need to get off of my ass and work? No, I think it is about time our system started working.