Fung Lan Yong: Should financial aid for university students be based solely on merit?

Read the following article carefully.  Then identify the following components:

·         Introductory statements

·         Thesis statement

·         Topic sentence 1 and supporting points

·         Topic sentence 2 and supporting points

·         Topic sentence 3 and supporting points

·         Topic sentence 4 and supporting points

·         Concluding statements

 

 

University education is widely regarded as an important aspect of life as it is the key to economic and social success. It is the stepping stone towards a civilized society.  Although the Malaysian government has built many colleges and universities, university education is still a burden for many parents who have to spend money on their children’s books and accommodation.  Therefore, many secondary school students hope to obtain a merit-based scholarship by having excellent grades and conduct.  Merit-based scholarships are mainly based on excellent academic performance as evidenced by high test scores and superior examination results.  While opponents may contend that not all accomplishments can be measured in grades and test scores, many people still maintain that the Malaysian government should provide financial aid for students strictly based on merit because  it motivates students to study harder, encourages healthy competition, and promotes equality.

 

First of all, merit-based scholarships motivate students to exert more effort and time on their learning. They serve as powerful incentives for students to take schoolwork seriously. This in turn enhances their academic performance.  Students who are interested in getting a merit-award usually strive very hard in their academic work. If they know that they will receive a scholarship based on their race or other non-merit criteria, they will not be motivated to study hard.  Basically, students tend not to appreciate an award that can be obtained easily.  Further, merit-based scholarships will increase the persistence and retention of students.  Students know that they have to continue to work hard in order to keep the scholarship.  Additionally, merit-based financial aid is only given to deserving students.  This will inspire students to achieve excellence through effort.

 

Besides enhancing students’ motivation, merit-based financial aid also helps promote healthy competition among students.  Healthy competition encourages students to struggle hard in order to better themselves. In the increasingly more competitive world of education and work, it is better for students to become aware of the fact that only the fittest will survive. Merit-based awards encourage students to push themselves harder, and consequently, achieve more academic growth. If the financial aid is only awarded to the top students only, other students tend to work harder to get it. Additionally, students should realize that the real world is much more competitive and stressful than academic work. Healthy competition among students to get a scholarship is therefore an essential life lesson for them.  Merit-based scholarships breed competition among students, ensuring that the better qualified students will get the better jobs in future.

 

In addition, merit-based financial aid ensures greater equality in the selection of students. First, there should not be any race discrimination in awarding scholarships. Many top scorers in certain countries have failed to obtain financial aid from the government because many scholarships are allocated according to racial quotas. This seems unfair as every deserving student should have an equal chance to get a university education. The government should put all the applicants at the same level rather than awarding a scholarship to someone just because he or she is of a certain race. Second, merit-based financial aid seems a fairer way of providing scholarship to deserving students regardless of their family background. If financial aid is closely associated with family background, most scholarships will likely benefit students from low income families who may not be that academically gifted or talented. The country will benefit more if all its gifted or talented students are provided with financial aid.

 

On the other hand, opponents may argue that merit-based financial aid will not help those students who are most in need of assistance. In general, many students from poor families tend to get average grades in school and therefore will not be eligible for merit-based scholarships.  For many students from low income families, university education is unattainable without financial assistance.  Awarding financial aid strictly according to meritorious performance seems harsh and unmerciful to students from low income families. However, this is a weak argument and therefore is not a valid reason for students from low-income groups to obtain a scholarship; they should have excellent exam results as evidence of their motivation and potential.  It is unfair to give scholarships to students with average scores.  Besides, they will not appreciate the financial assistance since they have not really studied hard for it. If students from poor families truly want access to university education, they should strive to excel in their studies first.  Students with average grades should try to obtain an educational loan rather than a scholarship.  Further, they could consider borrowing money from relatives and friends. Lastly, if financial aid is awarded based on academic excellence, poor or average students will work harder to improve their grades.  In brief, the government should provide financial aid for students based on their meritorious performance rather than their race or socioeconomic status.

 

As a conclusion, university education is integral to the socioeconomic progress of a country.  Undoubtedly, the government should provide merit-based financial assistance as this will greatly enhance the academic and career prospects of deserving students. Besides helping students to reduce their financial burden, merit-based scholarships also increase students’ motivation to succeed and encourage them to fulfil their potential. Furthermore, merit-based financial aid ensures that all deserving students are equally given a chance to obtain a scholarship. Last but not least; merit-based scholarships help promote healthy competition among students.  Students should strive to earn good grades not only for the sake of a scholarship, but also to prepare for the future.  Overall, the government should ensure that the distribution of scholarships is based on merit since this policy is more advantageous in the long run.

 

Source:

Should financial aid for university students be based solely on merit?

By Fung Lan Yong, Honorary Advisor, IPB Pine Academy, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

July 2013