Should rich son give up scholarship?

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Because no one from the family is commenting we don't really know what the dynamics of the father son relationship is.

Perhaps winning this scholarship was the only way the son was able to make his own choice about where he went to college and what he did there.

My opinion is that scholarship money should really help those who would not otherwise be able to afford to continue their education.

If the place on the team and at that school was available to the son and he has a parent able and willing to fund the experience then it seems fair to me that the scholarship money should go where it's needed - ie to a student who would otherwise not get the chance to go to school.

However, as I said, we don't know what the personal dynamics are. Plenty of people have rich parents who want to dictate where their children go to school and what they do and only then will hand over the cash. Or will only fund things they approve.

You can't just say anyone who has a rich parent does not need a scholarship.

[aws&ndd 103]

He earned it, he should keep it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

My opinion is that scholarship money should really help those who would not otherwise be able to afford to continue their education.

If the place on the team and at that school was available to the son and he has a parent able and willing to fund the experience then it seems fair to me that the scholarship money should go where it's needed - ie to a student who would otherwise not get the chance to go to school.

It's a merit based not a means based scholarship. As such, it belongs to the person that earns it. That's what merit based means. Taking your approach, where does it stop? You could make the same argument at the workplace denying raises and promotions to those who are well off either way and rather give them to those who need the money more - regardless of the actual effort they put in and regardless of the contribution they make. Case in point, we had a guy working in our department who really didn't need to work. Guy busted his ####### and produced well above his pay grade. He was promoted and received raises. Should he not have received the raises because there were co-workers who were not financially well off as he was and needed the money more even though those co-workers did not work as hard and produce as much? I didn't think so.

[Reyan 56]

We also already have some need based awards in place for example Pell grants.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

It's a merit based not a means based scholarship. As such, it belongs to the person that earns it. That's what merit based means. Taking your approach, where does it stop? You could make the same argument at the workplace denying raises and promotions to those who are well off either way and rather give them to those who need the money more - regardless of the actual effort they put in and regardless of the contribution they make. Case in point, we had a guy working in our department who really didn't need to work. Guy busted his ####### and produced well above his pay grade. He was promoted and received raises. Should he not have received the raises because there were co-workers who were not financially well off as he was and needed the money more even though those co-workers did not work as hard and produce as much? I didn't think so.

Okay - I'm not familiar with scholarship systems in general as they are not as common in the UK. So you're saying it's like a reward for achievement regardless of need.

I just tend to think of all people applying for scholarships as a way to help them financially - and I imagine you would apply in those cases because you needed the money. I assumed that there was an element of competition based on merit even with the groups of those applying based on need. ie. Student A and B both need financial assistance to attend school but B gets it because of better grades and a stronger application.

I have always equated the word scholarship with financial aid. But I can see the pride and satisfaction in winning a 'prize' for achievement, no matter what your financial status.

On a personal level, if I was in this situation I might like to have my achievement acknowledged but if I was a millionaire (or had a supportive millionaire parent) I would decline the money or create an additional fund for someone in need. But that's just how I feel about it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Okay - I'm not familiar with scholarship systems in general as they are not as common in the UK. So you're saying it's like a reward for achievement regardless of need.

I just tend to think of all people applying for scholarships as a way to help them financially - and I imagine you would apply in those cases because you needed the money. I assumed that there was an element of competition based on merit even with the groups of those applying based on need. ie. Student A and B both need financial assistance to attend school but B gets it because of better grades and a stronger application.

I have always equated the word scholarship with financial aid. But I can see the pride and satisfaction in winning a 'prize' for achievement, no matter what your financial status.

On a personal level, if I was in this situation I might like to have my achievement acknowledged but if I was a millionaire (or had a supportive millionaire parent) I would decline the money or create an additional fund for someone in need. But that's just how I feel about it.

Yes, there are purely merit based scholarships available. A cousin of my wife is currently attending college based on such a merit based scholarship - she finished in the top 0.1% of her class and that achievement automatically qualified her for this merit based scholarship. The financial situation of her family was not a consideration at all. Now, her family is certainly not rich and this was probably her only opportunity to attend college without having to dive deep into debt. She recognized that reality and worked hard to make the cut for the merit based scholarship. Good for her. And if her folks were wealthy, it would still be good for her and she would still have earned the scholarship fair and square. Anyone can qualify for it by working hard and focusing on grades and achievement. That's all there is to it.

[james&olya 1,121]

Once a person is a legal adult what is the legal basis for discrimination based on what his relatives income is?

I think that merit should be the only basis for scholarships but I also believe in a progressive income tax at rates sufficient to make college available and affordable for all who are academically qualified!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

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[ready4ONE 5,400]

I think he earned and should keep the scholarship. If I had P-Diddy kind of cash I would double it for scholarships for kids in need, but those demanding his kid not accept the money are simply wrong.