Must Read: Students Speak On Scholarship Disbursements

 
A couple of Nigerian students were interviewed on their preference over either cash disbursement or academic grant involving an arrangement with their institutions. Well, as one would imagine, the conversation got trailed by series of mixed reaction. Here are a few excerpts below:

Joshua Adeleke from UNILAG: To me, I prefer cash, because looking at the way things are in the economy, unemployment rate is higher. Prices of capital items are dwindling and there are no longer stable white collar jobs one could rely on anymore. I believe if any student can exhibit an outstanding performance to win any scholarship award. Such student shouldn’t have a problem thinking of a way to build something meaningful with the appropriate capital. Its just my view from the entrepreneurial perspective.

Sandra Nwala from YABATECH: Well, I think cash is better, because nowadays, a lot of families are struggling to keep up with the average standard of living and most times, we find out that these families have more than a single child in a Nigerian university. Tell me, if one of the children should win a scholarship of say N200,000 at 400level – I’m sure what the student would require to complete his/her academic pursuit in the tertiary level wouldn’t be up to N100,00. So, the balance could still be useful in helping out their siblings.

Kenneth Okonkwo from FUTO: Cash is better. This is because sometimes, you would want to buy textbooks and pay for group projects at school. In this kind of situation, you don’t expect the organising body to hearken to your needs because they will think you are unserious, but it’s really hard to keep up with these things when they come calling. I feel if they can start awarding cash, even the beneficiaries can still do one or two businesses in the campus to multiply the amount they won.

Tega Oshoniyi from UNILORIN: It pays to have an arrangement with the school because some students can spend this money on something not so meaningful. I mean, I could win a scholarship and take the cash to go get some clothes, shoes and bags if I want. But having an arrangement with the school helps put me in line.

According to the views expressed above, one could see what the majority would rather go for. However, Tega doesn’t share the same school of thought with her colleagues from other institution. Please note that this does not reflect the views of the vast majority from their respective institutions though.

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