<p>I see both sides of this debate. What do you think?</p>
<p>Taxpayers</a> Want Diddy's Son to Fork Over His $54,000 UCLA Scholarship - Yahoo! Finance</p>
<p>I say if the kid earned his athletic scholarship then he earned it and as we all know he will have to work hard to keep it. I have a kid on a full ride playing D1 sports and according to fafsa he is getting more than he “needs” but so what. He worked extremely hard for most of his life and still is. It is his money not ours.</p>
<p>He earned an athletic scholarship. Who cares how much his family makes? If we start evaluating need with athletic/merit scholarships, then the kids with wealthy parents who are unwilling to pay for college will be in trouble on every front.</p>
<p>I wonder if UCLA was making a calculated move in offering the scholly and bringing Diddy on board as a potential big-time donor.</p>
<p>I’d like to hear from someone who is familiar with the boy’s stats. Would someone of his size and accomplishments be entitled to this kind of money if he was not related to a celebrity?</p>
<p>Anyone out there from in or near the town in which he plays?</p>
<p>I “think” the stuent plays for a very elite private school. idk for sure.</p>
<p>Is the money for the scholarships at UC from ticket sales/private donations or from tax dollars? Are the terms of selection Only merit…or is there a “need” filter? Some scholarship funds put all applicants through a “need” filter first and then from the remaining applicants, the merit part jumps in. If this was strictly merit, then the need or lack there of wouldn’t come to play.</p>
<p>At my son’s UC college the athletic scholarship money comes out of the money that goes in to the university via all the students. No need filter either. Based on athletic merit alone. UC’s are state run schools.</p>
<p>Carpediem, articles stated that he had a 3.75. Sounds about right for an athletic recruit. He was not recruited because he is related to a celebrity. He was recruited by multiple D1 schools. That’s the point, athletic/merit scholarships shouldn’t have ANYTHING to do with need. That’s like saying we shouldn’t pay a government employee because their family is rich. That would be wrong.</p>
<p>He’s about the same size as LSU’s Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu, aruably the best DB in the SEC. </p>
<p>The kid looks legit in his highlight video… and if the coaches deemed him an asset to the team and to the school… He deserves the scholly. Kudos to Diddy’s son.</p>
<p>No student should be compelled to return an athletic scholarship or a merit scholarship based on his fathers wealth.</p>
<p>Many people have a misconception of the purpose of non-need-based scholarships. Colleges do not issue athletic scholarships and merit scholarships as rewards for accomplishment; colleges grant such scholarships as incentives to attend the granting institution.</p>
<p>From an athletes standpoint, being offered an athletic scholarship is a strong signal that the coach expects him to get playing time and to make a contribution. The coach is putting his money where his mouth is. In comparison, DIII coaches are prohibited from offering athletic scholarships, so their promises are all they have to give, and promises cost them nothing.</p>
<p>Requiring California public colleges to assess need when offering athletic scholarships would put them at a competitive disadvantage against all other colleges in attracting top athletes.</p>
<p>In addition, requiring UCLA to retract its scholarship, or requiring young Mr. Combs to give it back, will forever handicap UCLA in attracting top students, as this would set a precedent that scholarships are subject to the whims of public opinion.</p>
<p>I find it odd that the press would give the complaining taxpayers a voice over this non-issue. There is so much real injustice in the world that it makes no sense to give any attention to people protesting a football players athletic scholarship merely because of the wealth of his father.</p>
<p>Diddy came from nothing and made something of himself. Maybe he wanted his son to earn/pay his way and it sounds like he is. UCLA makes millions off its football program which in turn benefits other scholar athletes so this is a good move on their part. If more celebrities even bothered to get their offspring interested in college we would be spared from the Kardashian Princess Airhead culture. Hope Diddy starts a trend where education is valued</p>