They Give Money for That?

I've been helping my daughter Kaileigh navigate college applications and scholarship applications. No, I am not writing them myself.

"I want to go to Texas Tech University because I have a very demanding job, three children, a mortgage, and large commitments, and I would rather live in a dorm, stay up late studying and/or partying, and live on $300 a month."

Actually, no. No I really wouldn't.

Texas has a common on-line application (love you, interconected tubes!) that you can use for any state school and for scholarship applications. She filled out the application and was filling out the scholarship application when we noted a page where you could write essays about any special circumstances you have. They noted that these could be things like "first generation of your family to attend college" or "overcoming diversity."

I wholeheartedly endorse the first as a reason for a scholarship, but the second? I'm kinda hoping they meant "adversity."

"Mr. Johnson, this is the 23rd essay we've received this week about how the student can't get ahead because of black people. Do we really give money for that?"