The Ethics of Scholarships | 10.28.09

Posted in Financial Aid, Scholarships by Kristin Morris

Chewing TobaccoWhen it comes to free money for college most students will take what they can get, but how would you feel about accepting a scholarship from a chewing tobacco company? Scholarships are often given out by companies to improve their corporate image, but if a tobacco company shells out scholarship money is that sending the wrong message to college students?

This issue has recently been brought to the forefront at Cal Poly. The school is taking a lot of heat for allowing students to accept scholarships from the smokeless tobacco industry as prize awards in collegiate rodeo events. Doctors are upset that the tobacco companies are promoting their products to students so aggressively, but is it a problem if a student takes the money and is not swayed to become a consumer?

Many students do not receive enough federal financial aid to be able to afford college on their own. Scholarships are the ideal option for these students because unlike federal student loans and alternative student loans they do not have to be repaid. Most people would probably argue that college students are mature enough to make responsible life decisions and that they should accept whatever scholarship money they can get.  However, in this age of student activism, some students really do worry about where their scholarship money is coming from and what message it is sending.

If you are weary about where your scholarship money comes from we promise that Student Scholarship Search will only connect you with scholarships that we would be proud to represent. Also do not forget that Scholarship Points gives out scholarships (some as big as $10,000) to students every month.

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11 Responses to “The Ethics of Scholarships”

  1. hmw7 says on May 3, 2010 at 1:05 am:

    Wow, I never knew that!

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  2. Dani says on November 4, 2009 at 11:37 am:

    Wow, considering that some of the commentators are either in school or applying to schools, some of the grammar and spelling is terrible on this blog!

    I do have a problem with accepting support from companies who promote products or policies I disagree with, such as tobacco companies or companies who use child labor. I do think that big companies who want to help students are going in the right direction, but I’d be much less inclined to apply for funding from a company that gave me a queasy feeling.

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  3. Mateia says on November 1, 2009 at 12:48 am:

    I think it’s free money why wouldn’t you take it.

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  4. Rachel Richardson says on October 31, 2009 at 4:41 pm:

    I will take a scholarship fron a tobacco company I don”t think they are sending wrong message. I think they are trying to help young stuggle college students.All scholarship are great.It is money you don’t need to pay back.

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  5. reg.doug says on October 31, 2009 at 11:34 am:

    I don’t think it would be bad if a student took the money, but to have the school endorse these scholarships is where you get into deep water. Certainly the money has to come from somewhere, but schools should go out of their way to set a good example

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  6. Barb says on October 29, 2009 at 6:09 pm:

    Money is just a tool. Does it really matter where it comes from? I do not think so. Think of it this way: Many people buy automobiles. We know they are tools that have killed many people. Does that stop anyone from buying them? Of course not.

    Scholarships and grants are awesome! :o )

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  7. Alyssa says on October 28, 2009 at 11:08 pm:

    I find it hard myself finding financial assitance for my schooling, and Ipersonally love scholarship points because it gives someone like me a fee chance to my future.

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  8. Zackery Stefanich says on October 28, 2009 at 7:41 pm:

    this is a very hard decision because just think about it free money. that’s hard to come by. i personally would not care really but then again other people might judge me. i would take the money in a heart beat. its not about what people think of you its what you think about yourself. what people think about you should not let you say no to money and your dream career. i think that’s just stupid.

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  9. elisa says on October 28, 2009 at 5:55 pm:

    i want to keep study i want to be someone in the life and i really need these scholarships to keep my dream

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  10. elisa says on October 28, 2009 at 5:52 pm:

    I really need a scholorship i dont have enough money and i want to keep student i would like to win this scholorships

    Reply To This Comment
  11. Alvin Siow says on October 28, 2009 at 3:57 pm:

    Personally I do not think that it would be a wrong message to students.
    When becomes to a need for college money for furthering education, they do not directly to any encouragement for tobacco usage.
    And I do appreciate organizations that tries to help students like me.

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