Would you be willing to give back your scholarship to keep another student in school?
A committee of parents at the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University is asking for just that.
Last year the committee sent out letters to other parents encouraging those who could afford it to donate the equivalent of their child’s $3,500 merit scholarship right back to the college, so it could be used to assist other honors students who are less financially fortunate.
In essence, these students would be giving their scholarships right back to the university. A crazy request, right?
Crazy like a fox.
The appeals drew more than $220,000 from donors last year and $13,000 so far this year. About $100,000 was used to develop a trustee scholarship endowment and the rest was doled out to 34 families who needed money to make tuition payments, according to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
This noble effort by the Penn State parents shows generosity and compassion. However, the appeals and the resultant donations betray a certain belief: When it comes to financial aid, need is more important than merit, and some students deserve it more than others.
It’s a belief echoed by a number of other colleges as the down economy begins to creep its way onto campus.
As The State Press reported last week, the University of Texas has discontinued its national scholars program, redirecting the $4.4 million it was using annually for national scholars to need-based scholarships.
As one of ASU’s 612 National Merit Scholars, I can attest to the benefits of my university-provided aid. It covers my tuition (though less and less with rates increasing with each passing semester) as well as a portion of my other costs. I love it. But do I really need it?
It’s a hard call to make, both for a person and for a university.
Should the bulk of a university’s financial aid pool be spent on high achievers who have proven their worth through hard work and will likely bring recognition and respect to the school? Or is it more important to provide all students an opportunity for higher education, regardless of economic background?
ASU already gives out nearly double the scholarship money for poorer students as it does for those who merely exhibit merit. According to ASU’s Office of Institutional Analysis, the University gave out more than $100 million in scholarships and grants to students showing financial need in the 2007-2008 school year, compared to about $55 million for those that didn’t.
Though I appreciate the scholarship money I receive from ASU (very, very much), I’m also glad of the amplified importance placed on need-based students. Higher education is becoming more and more cost-prohibitive, and no student should be denied access for financial reasons.
Penn State’s appeal for compassion from wealthy parents and the righteous results of the request are inspiring. It’s almost enough to make me want to give up my scholarship. Almost.
Send requests for Zach’s scholarship money to zachary.fowle@asu.edu.
