Should rich son give up scholarship?

[B_J 2,752]

Less than a year after Diddy's son, Justin Combs, committed to play football at UCLA, state taxpayers are calling on the well-heeled freshman to turn over his $54,000 scholarship to students who need it more.

In an interview with CNN, education contributor Dr. Steve Perry defended Combs' merit-based scholarship, saying he earned it fair and square. At the Upstate New York prep school where Combs recently graduated, he maintained a 3.75 GPA while playing cornerback for the football team.

"He's done what he needs to do to be successful and in 'Ameritocracy' we have to accept that no matter who your father is, whether he be rich, poor or absent, that you can in fact be successful on your own merit," Perry said.

There's no denying Diddy can afford to send his son to college. The entertainment mogul was recently named the wealthiest artist in hip hop by Forbes Magazine, so far earning $45 million in 2012.

But as Perry pointed out, Combs' scholarship is awarded to student athletes specifically and isn't exactly a free ticket to a four-year picnic. Combs will be required to train 40 hours per week as well as attend classes full-time.

That's not to say parents don't have a reason to get worked up about the high cost of college these days. The average tuition rate is around $50,000 per year and the trillion-dollar student loan bubble's all but crippled millions of graduates.

UCLA became a focal point in the Occupy Wall Street protests, with students rallying against planned 16 percent tuition fee hikes. In April, the school was forced to clawback $27 million in financial aid accidentally deposited into students' accounts.

Combs has made no announcement regarding plans to give back the scholarship.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/taxpayers-want-p--diddy-s-son-to-fork-over-his--54-000-ucla-scholarship.html

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It's amusing really. If he actually earned it, then why should he have to give it up?

Just because daddy can pay for it, doesn't mean the kid doesn't want to feel good about earning something on his own.

I'll take this kid over half-wits who have a 2.1 GPA and daddy pays their way.

[SMOKE 1,426]

he's not the millionaire. the kid earned it on merit. its his.

should sean combs pay for his son's education & let a less fortunate applicant have the scholarship? yes

[Reyan 56]

He earned the scholarship, and should not have to give it back no matter who your parents are.

[kytwell 179]

Just because daddy can pay for it, doesn't mean the kid doesn't want to feel good about earning something on his own.

I'll take this kid over half-wits who have a 2.1 GPA and daddy pays their way.

and a +1

[slim 1,533]

Lefties are so funny. "We have to help minorities get scholarships.... unless their rich already."

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Less than a year after Diddy's son, Justin Combs, committed to play football at UCLA, state taxpayers are calling on the well-heeled freshman to turn over his $54,000 scholarship to students who need it more.

In an interview with CNN, education contributor Dr. Steve Perry defended Combs' merit-based scholarship, saying he earned it fair and square. At the Upstate New York prep school where Combs recently graduated, he maintained a 3.75 GPA while playing cornerback for the football team.

"He's done what he needs to do to be successful and in 'Ameritocracy' we have to accept that no matter who your father is, whether he be rich, poor or absent, that you can in fact be successful on your own merit," Perry said.

There's no denying Diddy can afford to send his son to college. The entertainment mogul was recently named the wealthiest artist in hip hop by Forbes Magazine, so far earning $45 million in 2012.

But as Perry pointed out, Combs' scholarship is awarded to student athletes specifically and isn't exactly a free ticket to a four-year picnic. Combs will be required to train 40 hours per week as well as attend classes full-time.

That's not to say parents don't have a reason to get worked up about the high cost of college these days. The average tuition rate is around $50,000 per year and the trillion-dollar student loan bubble's all but crippled millions of graduates.

UCLA became a focal point in the Occupy Wall Street protests, with students rallying against planned 16 percent tuition fee hikes. In April, the school was forced to clawback $27 million in financial aid accidentally deposited into students' accounts.

Combs has made no announcement regarding plans to give back the scholarship.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/taxpayers-want-p--diddy-s-son-to-fork-over-his--54-000-ucla-scholarship.html

I think it would be a cool gesture to give it back, but no he earned it and should keep it. In fact if people started demanding I give it back I would definitely hold on to it out of principle.

[sandinista! 1,816]

the real outrage should be that p. diddy has earned $45 million this year whilst being a completely talentless hack. if you have money to spend, for heaven's sake don't spend it on whatever p. diddy is selling, blech

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Lefties are so funny. "We have to help minorities get scholarships.... unless their rich already."

Lefties? The article doesn't specify the origination of the demand beyond "state taxpayers". Are you saying that the righties don't pay taxes?

[james&olya 1,121]

If Diddy has any class he will donate at least that amount to the scholarship fund!

[Leatherneck 693]

the real outrage should be that p. diddy has earned $45 million this year whilst being a completely talentless hack. if you have money to spend, for heaven's sake don't spend it on whatever p. diddy is selling, blech

Why should anyone be outraged that a "talentless hack" earned $45 million thus far? A lot of people must have seen some value in what the "talentless hack" has to offer.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Leatherneck

[JohnR! 5,495]

He won it on his own through his own efforts and ability.

Kudos to this kid who is interested in going to college and playing sports at a time when most of his counterparts are doing drugs and getting accolades for getting clean and sober for the umpteenth time.

1338457622[/url]' post='5409967']

Why should anyone be outraged that a "talentless hack" earned $45 million thus far? A lot of people must have seen some value in what the "talentless hack" has to offer.

Sheer unadulterated envy... LOL

[Harsh_77 718]

Kid won it on his merit, scholarship was not awarded to him after looking who his father was and how much he was earning.

Kid rightfully earned is and should keep it.

[Laveau 67]

""He's done what he needs to do to be successful and in 'Ameritocracy' we have to accept that no matter who your father is, whether he be rich, poor or absent, that you can in fact be successful on your own merit," Perry said."

I agree with Mr. Perry and I don't see why he should giveaway what he earned just because someone "needs" it more. It would be a kind gesture, but the nerve of people to demand or "call on him" to give away what he earned.

[Kiv 32]

He won it.. is his right to keep it, to be proud of his effort and enjoy it.

He could be a good for nothing living from dady but he choosed not to, good for him.