Rich Kids and Scholarships

[nissangirl74]

P Diddy's son won a merit-based scholarship and there are critics who are saying that he should refuse it because his dad has enough money to send him to school. What do you think? Do you think rich kids should be ineligible for scholarships just because their parents have money? That's a hell of a message to send to kids when the population is starved for motivated students / kids with work ethic.

a critic:

Here's the bottom line, says Dennis Romero in LA Weekly: "The son of a guy worth nearly half a billion dollars" doesn't need a free ride to college, especially to "a school where student tuition and fees have nearly tripled in the last 10 years." I mean, this is a kid who poses in front of "a $300,000-plus Maybach," likely the car his dad got him on his 16th birthday. Now that's "a free ride that could pay for half dozen full-ride scholarships to UCLA."
"Combs gets full scholarship to UCLA as many students struggle"

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-kids ... 00285.html

[Jesda]

Kid earns merit-based scholarship.
People get mad.

To hell with people!


If it was a need-based scholarship, then they'd have a valid gripe.

[Bubba1]

P Diddy's son won a merit-based scholarship and there are critics who are saying that he should refuse it because his dad has enough money to send him to school. What do you think? Do you think rich kids should be ineligible for scholarships just because their parents have money? That's a hell of a message to send to kids when the population is starved for motivated students / kids with work ethic.

a critic:

Here's the bottom line, says Dennis Romero in LA Weekly: "The son of a guy worth nearly half a billion dollars" doesn't need a free ride to college, especially to "a school where student tuition and fees have nearly tripled in the last 10 years." I mean, this is a kid who poses in front of "a $300,000-plus Maybach," likely the car his dad got him on his 16th birthday. Now that's "a free ride that could pay for half dozen full-ride scholarships to UCLA."
"Combs gets full scholarship to UCLA as many students struggle"

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-kids ... 00285.html

I see no reason to discriminate against a hard working child for earning a merit based scholarship just because their dad is wealthy.

I also wouldn't jump to conclusions about the kid's upbringing. Mr. Romero assumed the child was raised by their father in the lap of luxury. What if he/she was raised by a mother alone and never exposed to their father's fortune??

I see a parent's wealth only being an issue if it was a NEED based scholarship.

[themadscientist]

That is our society. Excellence is punished. This kid's dad is an a$$, yes, but rich or not if the kid made the grade he should get the ride. Nobody owes anyone anything. Earn you way or wallow in fail!

[frapjap]

The thought that he doesn't deserve the reward for hard work is stupid. You earn it, you keep it. End of story. There is no debate, there is no "he should, needs to, etc." IMHO, I'm impressed that he was made to work for a scholarship instead of riding on dad's coat tails.

[NolimitZ32]

When I read this it made me sick, this is yet another example of why this great country is going to hell in a cheap, made in china handbasket.

[nissangirl74]

I got the same reaction a couple of semesters ago. Me and a couple of other students were talking about tuition costs and they asked me if I had student loans. I said, No. I was only taking two classes at a time, so my job was able to cover the cost of tuition. I also said that I was going to look into the scholarships that were designated for those people going into the nursing field. One of the girls asked me why I would apply for a scholarship when I didn't need it. I said, scholarships aren't just based on need. They are often based on achievements, how well you are doing in your course of study. She said, "No, they are just for poor people." I just shut my mouth and let her wallow in her stupidity.

[NolimitZ32]

^ And she will be going into a field where she may have to make critical decisions concerning other peoples' well being. Oh great!

[nissangirl74]

She won't make it that far. Thank God for tough exams.

[hannibal]

^ LOL!

What part of merit based is unclear?

Puffy Diddly Doo is a talentless artist. He is, however, a great businessman. I'm guessing he invested in his kid's education, possibly by sending him to some damn good schools. The kid did well and EARNED a scholarship. Both father and son get props from me.

[DJ_B_Easy]

I would hope in most cases where a well off child earns a scholarship they accept it, and the family makes a donation or other sign of equal or greater acknowledgment on their behalf. By no means should they not accept the scholarship, it should be accepted and "paid forward". I wouldnt be suprised if the Puff Donkey has already done so in one form or another.

[AZhitman]

Every single response in this thread is dripping with Libertarianism.

I am soooo proud that SOME of our next generation is intelligent enough to not follow the herd.

Excellence MUST be rewarded at every opportunity. Anyone who gets in the way of that has no business breathing my good goddam air.

DJBeasy makes an EXCELLENT point, perfectly-stated.

I want to get Dennis Romero (and anyone who agrees with him) in a room, with a bright light and a phone book, and remind him how stupid his position is: "DENNIS! You don't NEED 2 cars in your driveway. You don't NEED a cell phone. You don't NEED an extra helping of meatloaf, you pathetic Communist dirtbag. And most of all, you don't NEED to be a journalist, because you absolutely SUCK at it."

[Loki]

Don't think there is a clear cut answer to that. I think the kid should only return the scholarship if his merits are a result of his father's wealth, in other words merits not possible for poorer students (personal, expensive tutors, football trainers, etc). However, I think it would be nice of Mr. Combs to set up a different merit-based scholarship at his son's school with some of his wealth (as DJBeasy alludes to). If you make that much money, there is simply no reason to not support the school in some way. I know of many Penn State alums that have done the same.

[hannibal]

Don't think there is a clear cut answer to that. I think the kid should only return the scholarship if his merits are a result of his father's wealth, in other words merits not possible for poorer students (personal, expensive tutors, football trainers, etc). However, I think it would be nice of Mr. Combs to set up a different merit-based scholarship at his son's school with some of his wealth (as DJBeasy alludes to). If you make that much money, there is simply no reason to not support the school in some way. I know of many Penn State alums that have done the same.

I'm sorry, but I dont understand this. How could his merits be based on his father's wealth? Rich kids slide thru life all the time on the coat tails of their wealthy parents (dont finish school, never hold down a job, etc). But this kid actually has a brain in his head. Sure, Dad could afford to send him to the best schools, and hire the best tutors, and buy the best study aids. IMO, that's a worthy investment of money, as education always is. College kids dont buy books because theyre rich. They invest in learning.

I too hope Piff Dudley has already given away numerous scholarships to kids that have no other way of going to college. If he hasnt, he should drop $1 million and pay for 4 years of school for 10 kids. He wouldnt even miss the money, and it's tax deductible.

And lets not pretend this is the first time in history that a rich kid earned a scholarship.

On a related note, do you think its by chance Archie Manning has two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks for sons? No, theyve been playing since they were 6 months old and he could afford the best trainers and coaches. He invested in getting them the best to help them succeed at football. I think thats what responsible parents do. Dont give your kid a fish, teach him to fish.

[AZhitman]

^ Bingo.

I'm just appalled that someone who purports to be a respected journalist could prattle on with such nonsense... then again, it's not like the LA Weekly is the NYT.

Everyone's got an opinion... and some of them are stupid.

On a side note, what kind of slippery slope does this kind of attitude take us down? Who determines what students are "rich"? What if the student's parents don't WANT to pay for their education? Gonna punish a deserving student for that?

I suppose Mr. Romero would prefer to see the privileged little brat out on the streets of Compton, living out his daddy's song lyrics?

Oh, wait - He's too educated for that. Props to Mr. Combs for raising a motivated kid, and props to Puffy Jr. for not resting on Daddy's laurels.

[DJ_B_Easy]

If anything, the kid got his motivation from his father, the financial support was secondary. Doo Piddley is a self made wealth machine. His drive to succeed is second to none. Yeah his music sucks...and people still buy it, because he knows how to push and push and push relentlessly. They guy could sell water to a whale. Im sure he started instilling these characteristics in his children from the get-go, if his DNA hadnt done most of the job already.

If the argument is that the child was put in the position he is in due to his abundant financial support, then the rebuttal is then why did he strive to succeed and achieve such high honors. He could have said Pop Dukely, just give me some cash I dont want to do this. Even if the child was forced into the training and the schools and the whatever else have you, he did not have to be so successful at it. He chose to apply himself and that deserves recognition, monetary or not.

I happen to be a fan of Rad Puffington. Not so much his music in later years (although I did grow up listening to him and B.I.G.), but his overall being. Guy has a determination that is inspiring. Heck, he trained, participated, and completed the NYC Marathon as a challenge to himself/publicity stunt. Better yourself and keep your name in the papers to continue your brand? Sounds good to me.

[AZhitman]

And THAT is the American way.

Unfortunately, the current Administration thinks he makes "too much money", and it should be redistributed to those who are less fortunate / less motivated / less capable / less deserving.

+1 to Duff Potty, and a bigger +1 to his son Justin Combs. Go get 'em, kid. Finish college, buy the LA Weekly and fire that reporter.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Duke Puddingstain

[MinisterofDOOM]

Greg, when I take over the world, you're hired. I need people with minds whose gears haven't rusted in place if we're going to fix this place.

Excellence MUST be rewarded at every opportunity. Anyone who gets in the way of that has no business breathing my good goddam air.

I'd even go a step further and say that failure to reward excellence is the single most dangerous mistake we can make as a society. People who have the skills to do great things but aren't empowered are a waste and a lost opportunity.

[Jesda]

On the subject of paid-for advantages like private tutoring and such, consider the people who show up here with nothing, work their behinds off, put their families through college, and do exceedingly well over the long term.

Look at the Irish and Italians who came here generations earlier and started American life in the gutter -- Andy Grove became CEO of Intel, for example. Here in St Louis we have more Bosnians than Bosnia itself, and they're starting businesses, occupying seats at local colleges and universities, assimilating into American culture, and giving new life to neighborhoods that were previously in decline.

It's about values -- having a strong sense of obligation to family and society, placing importance on work and personal success, remaining grounded and focused, and setting goals.


So, Mr Combs' kid may have had a boost, but that support doesn't guarantee success. His son doesn't owe anyone a dime, but I'm sure his dad will make a large donation anyway.

Dennis Romero is an assbag.

[DJ_B_Easy]

It's about values -- having a strong sense of obligation to family and society, placing importance on work and personal success, remaining grounded and focused, and setting goals.

BOOM.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Just to be clear, it is an athletic scholarship. And I'm sure his celebrity status had NO impact on the selection board.

[AZhitman]

Jesda nailed it. My dad showed up at Ellis Island. They took his NAME away, and gave him a new one. He's fine now, thanks. Worked his a$$ off for 5 decades, including a 20-year stint in the Navy.

A good friend of mine is a refugee from Laos. Came here when he was 8 after an 8-month-long escape through 3 countries. Lost his father (political prisoner). No English. He's in his late 20's now, and is the Director of Systems Administration for a large company. Perfect English. Also builds some sweet cars.

Instead of criticizing Mr. Combs for owning a Maybach (jealous much, Dennis?), perhaps that disdain could be focused on the people who are HARMING society. But that would take balls, wouldn't it?

What's more, that kind of irresponsible journalism appeals to the lowest-common denominator, which I'm sure comprises the bulk of readership of the LA Weakly. One can only imagine how much vitriol would have been spewed if it was the son of a White millionaire... Sad to see hack journalists out there engaging in race-baiting and class warfare.

[S13_love]

If it was a need-based scholarship, then they'd have a valid gripe.

Agreed.

Aside from that, I'm just going to assume P. Diddy's son took nothing but AP/Honors classes, is a hell of a good football player, and did a lot of community service (or heavily involved in certain groups/clubs his school had offered) because I'm having a hard time seeing how a 3.75 gpa warrants a $50,000+ scholarship ...but that's just merely my opinion.

[themadscientist]

If there are any people who had an unfair advantage it's Americans! Ever wonder why there are so many immigrants, LEGAL immigrants who take what opportunity America has to offer and run with it? You appreciate things you have to work for and there are too many fat whiny selfish tit-suckers who had all the opportunity in the world and pissed it away. f*** them, die. Seriously, not figuratively, actually DIE! People fought and died for the freedom and opportunity you spit on and you deserve no less than to have it torn from your limp hands. Some of the proudest Americans I have ever met are naturalized citizens. They fought for it, they know what it's like where they left and they are vibrant, hungry and the hope of our country. I am always a little guilty after meeting such a person as I too fall short of what they have going for them and it's 100% my fault. I would never deny anyone the fruits of their labor; good on you!

[hannibal]

Duke Puddingstain

I think we have a winner!

[MuranoDriver]

I would hope in most cases where a well off child earns a scholarship they accept it, and the family makes a donation or other sign of equal or greater acknowledgment on their behalf. By no means should they not accept the scholarship, it should be accepted and "paid forward". I wouldnt be suprised if the Puff Donkey has already done so in one form or another.

Exactly what I was thinking. Good post!

[cellardoorv]

I adore how his name keeps changing throughout the thread. I was also having this discussion with a fellow idiot friend of mine, and I shared the same thoughts expressed here, but the other wanted to turn it into a race issue. Which kind of made me tune out for a bit because that completely came out of nowhere.

Kids these days.

[Red coupe]

I've always thought of scholarships as a way of making sure that no great minds slip through the cracks because they cannot afford tuition.

Not really about earning it because your great, or we give people $5000 cause they are a winner... But a way of making sure that people who posses the god given ability to improve society have the ability to obtain the education to do so.

They are merit based not because the individual deserves a reward, here have free money...
They are merit based to select exceptional people and ensure they have the funding to realize their potential.

In that light, I would say there is NO danger that this kid will not be afforded the opportunity to achieve his potential... And given that, awarding him the scholarship when it is not needed is counter-productive to the idea it self... Your not ensuring opportunity in this case, your taking it away from someone else.

But I guess that is a little idealistic as there are so many random scholarships out there... and a sports scholarship is generally not too in line with the idea of not letting great minds slip through the cracks...

[Jesda]

I've always thought of scholarships as a way of making sure that no great minds slip through the cracks because they cannot afford tuition.

Merit based scholarships are intended to draw exceptional talent to the university. Need has nothing to do with it.