Bryna Greenlaw’s Dec. 4 article “A Hefty Price Tag,” had some good points, up until the part about inadequate scholarship money for minorities. Brenda Vargas states there is unequal distribution of scholarships, not enough scholarship money for minorities, and that she “came here to get an education, not to worry about how [she’s] going to pay bills.”

In my experience (and I’m sure I’m not alone), I have seen that the distribution of aid is indeed unfair, but it is to the opposite end of the spectrum Ms. Vargas is claiming.

Over the four years I have attended Iowa State, I have yet to see one cent of scholarship or grant money from the university. I had a high GPA in high school, scored well on my ACT and my parents cannot help finance my education. I have applied for numerous scholarships and seen nothing for it. I would never think to complain, though, because I know most of my friends are in the same boat. There is not very much scholarship money out there for the majority of students.

Most of my friends who happen to be minorities, however, receive at least a few thousand dollars a year in scholarship money because they performed well enough to get into Iowa State. Many of those who had similar high school GPAs and ACT scores to mine and several of my middle class Caucasian friends’ scores have received full rides. I have always been happy for these people because they got a good deal and don’t have to worry about paying for school.

As for the ones who receive at least some scholarship money, that’s great as well — that’s a few thousand dollars they won’t have to work for or borrow. But for Ms. Vargas to say the distribution of scholarship money is unequal is absolutely ridiculous.

Take a middle-class Caucasian student and a minority student with identical college credentials and let me know who is receiving more scholarship money. Every college student worries about “paying the bills” in addition to getting an education. She should either get a loan or quit whining about having to work a little bit and be thankful for the scholarship money she does receive.

Jerry Hales

Senior

Elementary Education