Some Rich Students 'Merit' Financial Aid

wvu student

Awww. Poor little rich kids can't afford financial aid and now their parents have to sell one of their cars.

Sod off.

My folks make less than $15000 a year and all I can say is: thank god for need-based aid.

Also, to those of you basically saying poor people shouldn't have children: money fluctuates. When they have kids the economy might be perfect, they might have jobs, the whole nine yards. But, 18 years down the road, wham! layoffs, medical bills, other children, terrible economy et c.

Agree that college is a privilege.

I also do not feel sorry for families that cannot afford to send their child to school. If money is an issue, don't pick a school that costs $18,000. What's wrong with community college that generally does not cost more than $3,000? Also, if you are receiving financial aid at a $18,000 school, community college would most likely be completely free. Also, often times poorer students are not capable of doing college level work because of where they went school before. When a college gives a student a merit scholarship, they are essentially investing their money in a student. If I had to invest my money in a straight A student who went to private school, or a straight A student who went to a poorer public school, I would most definetly choose the student who went to private school because they would have had access, in general, to a better education. I currently attend a private 4 year school, and there are many students here who academically should not be. They cannot read, write, or speak at the collegiate level. The only reason they are here is because they are poor and the government paid for them to attend. Just because someone makes less than 50k does not make them less deserving than a child whos parents make 80k. Also, just because a child is wealthy does not reduce their merit at all. Merit scholarships are called merit scholarships specifically because they are solely based on merit, not need. Also, a parent who makes 500k vs a parent who makes 50k is much more likely to donate a significant amount of money to the school. So offering them some incentive to attend a certain school is a good thing for every student and faculty member at that institution. I'm not saying poor people shouldn't have children, but I think people need to realistically consider the cost of raising children before they have them.

abebe

i am poor university student i want help

what merit means

I think the previous comment on freeloaders, etc. is a little reactionary. Their kind will be the first against the walls when the revolution comes.

Yet, this article seems to support "merit" scholarships for students in need of financial aid. With this I must vehemently disagree. A student's neediness does not translate to their merit, which I would define vaguely as the student's academic aptitude.

There is a wholly dishonest practice under way at some higher-end institutions, which affect fewer people. That is, some colleges offer "merit" scholarships only to students who are smart *and* rich. For those with options and for whom money is less of a concern. This resume-padding for rich kids is anathema to the ideals of academia and must be stopped.

A college education is a privilege, not a right

I don't feel sorry for poor families that can't afford to send their kids to college. We make, on paper, a very decent living but we live in an expensive area. We pay huge property taxes and income taxes. We spend money on things that require us to pay sales tax. My kids should be able to get aid money, not the freeloaders who already get plenty of government aid. I am already doing my part to help the economy and I strongly resent that a huge portion of my daughter's tuition to UCSB goes to pay for financial aid and we get nothing. I am tired of supporting people who should never have had children to begin with. This is why the economy is getting so bad - too many leeches at the public trough. It will only get worse with Obama and his type. There should also be laws against any kind of aid tied to race. We should live in a truly color-blind society.

i need sponsorship

i am a student in the universasity who is in nneed of help to further my education

THis is veryyyy true. i am a new college student and financial aid hasnt givent me anythinggggg and yet they make me wait because they say there are more important students that are paying right now so you have to wait untill we are done with there documents. this really sucks. these people are rich and get financial aid when i am a low income family. and we make 0 income. everyones laid off in my house. isnt that great?

i am a high school student but i know how hard it is, my family lives ona farm and we don't have a lot of money.so i am really trying hard to save and help my parents out.i am only a 10th grader, but

I am a white male who is now a Junior at a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. I came from a middle class family, my mother a teacher, and my father an retired, disabled coal miner. Our annual income is below $100,000 but we're well off in our area. They have worked so hard to support me and my 3 brothers and continue to work hard so my younger brother will be going to college, too. Both my older brother and I went to prestigious colleges, and worked hard to earn the merit scholarships we acheived. I was an outstanding student in high school, accomplishing more than many do in their lives, which I am proud of. I went out and searched and applied for scholarships. I didn't expect people to hand something to me. I received one of the highest scholarships my college offers, and yet, I am still left with over $25,000 in expenses a year. I went out and applied for scholarships, I work 2 jobs, I work hard and I am still managing a 3.5 qpa in my Psychology, Business Administration double major, with a minor in English and Pre-Law. It can be done, and I am tired of hearing people complain about not getting the hand outs they deserve. I've appied for scholarships and fellowships and internships and I've received over $20,000 in additional scholarships that I worked and applied for. No one just gave it to me. My $2,000 I get in state financial aid doesn't help with anything.

People have come to conclusion that higher education should be a necessity that is given to our children. That is completely absurb. If someone is that determined to go to college, they'll find a way like I have and so have my 2 older brothers and will my little brother, and so many other individuals out there. It is not the government's responsibility to give you an education, and one must earn it. I agree completely with equal opportunities but the government shouldn't be giving out hand outs, but instead a hand up.

I was offered 3 full rides to universities, but I didn't find what I was looking for there. Parents need to step up, students need to step up. There are ways around financial burdens. People should just take responsibility for themselves early.

Target the right schools people

I work with students and their families all the time helping them through the college admissions and financial aid process. There is money out there to help pay the bill, but if you're serious about getting help, you have to have a PLAN!

You need to remember college is not free! You've had this child for 18 years, it's not like you didn't know this day was coming. BUT, there are steps you can take to reduce (not necessarily eliminate) what you will have to pay towards your child's college education.

1. KNOW how much you'll be expected to pay -- you need to know your situation!

2. Target the right schools based on your particular situation.

3. Students need to position themselves as desirable candidates -- not only does it help with admission, it also helps when it comes to financial aid.

Students in all situations can and do get help. However, even after all this time, it floors me how clueless students and parents can be about the realities of college admissions and college expenses.