I'm sorry but I do NOT consider myself to be riff-raff. I am getting a full ride from the federal government and the private university I attend. They understand that that is the only way I can break the cycle of poverty. Yeah, I could go get a minimum wage job somewhere and struggle all my life or I could take advantage of the opportunity given to me and make something of my life. Five thousand a year covers tuition but it sure doesn't cover housing and other expenses. I know because I applied to many smaller schools to avoid as much of a handout. I couldn't personally get anything besides the federal student scholarship because of my age and it didn't cover housing, etc. Am I supposed to be punished because my parents messed up their financial lives (through no fault of their own)? I'm an honors student (GPA well over a 3.5) at a top university working three part time jobs, and volunteering at my church. If I didn't have the financial aid, none of this would be possible. I'm sorry that your kids aren't getting as much financial aid but don't blame us who actually need it. We're just trying to get ahead (and by the way, when I do succeed, I fully plan on donating to both merit and need based scholarship funds)
Good to see you are doing well.
Thank you so much for replying. I knew when I posted that some would misinterpret and your reply gives me an excellent example to clarify with
You were born into a difficult situation and you are doing your best to overcome it. You have obviously done your homework as you are an honors student. You are working your way through school as much as you can.
You, sir, are truly not riff-raff. You are a fine example of what America is all about. EVERYONE can achieve their dream here if they work for it. I salute you
Now lets examine some of the people I would call riff-raff. C students or worse. Came into college barely able to read with weak math skills and a twisted understanding of history (and no real regret about their poor academic foundation). Studying ethnic studies or womyns studies or some such empty liberal feel good waste of time course of study. Spends more time partying than studying. Doesn't really value the education they are getting because they are not paying for it. No goals to succeed at anything after college.
Slackers and sluggards who found a way to slack off for four more years at my expense
I went to school with some very poor people who made good. They overcame their lack of finances and anti-education environment to succeed at life. They were not riff-raff.
I also went to school with some people (BTW riff-raff has no color) from financially poor backgrounds who served as nothing more than distractions and troublemakers in my classes. They were riff-raff.
(BTW. I came from a single parent home from the eighth grade on. Dirt poor. Worked hard, studied hard, paid my own way with loans and scholarships and paid everything back. I wasn't riff-raff either. I couldn't afford to be)