Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-02-02
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1915.
FREE SClIOIIA IkSliIPS.

institutions. There Is no doubt what
ever as to tho great benefit that these
Scholarships might be If the inten-
tions Of the Dlau as originally de-
signed were in all instances carried
out. But are they? The scholar
desire to place within the reach Of
certain boys and girls Of the State,
who would otherwise be debarred by
circumstances from obtaining a col
lesc education. the opportunity to
secure it, But we believe that a
careful examination of the records
Of the past will reveal that not more
than 10 per cent of those who have
benefited by the scholarships arc Of
the class Of citizens whom the
scheme was designed to benefit.
Recently this matter has been dis
cusacd in the General Assembly, and
the proposition has been made to
make all tuition free or do away with
the scholarships altogether. The So
luton OF the problem. we believe,
does not lie in either OF these propo-
sitions. TO make all tuition free
would be to add to the burdens Of
taxation for the benefit, almost ex-
clnsively, OF those who are able to
give their sons and daughters college
cducations at their own expense. To
abolish the free scholarships would
be but to deprive the few worthy ones
who may secure this advantage OF
even the possibility OF :, higher edu-
cation.
We believe, however. that Oconee's
Senator. Mr. Werner. has ut last
struck the keynote that will cventu-
ally solve a very yeXed question. Dis
patches sent out from Columbia last
i'rday contained this very interest
ing matter:
'The fight on irco tuition and
scholarships in State colleges was
given another angle to-day when Sen
ator Werner introduced in the Senate
u bill appropriating $4,000 for the
purpose Of loaning to needy students.
and abolishing the present scholar
ships and tuition. Under the bill the
money will be divided between boys
and girls. and one applying for it
must set certificate signed by two
ncighbors and the cashier Of their
home bank that they are unable to
pay tuition. Thc student who quail
tics can go to any college, either de-
nomirati0nal or State. as they wish.
The ones getting the money arc to
give their notes, endorsed by their
parents or guardians, and the notes
are to be repaid to the State when
The student quits college either at
graduation or otherwise. 1t is fur
not doing good work he or she is liza
Bile to he dismissed and must then
repay their tuition.
"The amount to be loaned to any
month. and not over 500 in one
year. The requirements Tor cligibil-
ity to compete for this loan is very
stringent.
Tho bill was referred to the com
mittec on education, Of which Scna-
tor Sinklcr, OF Charleston. Is chair
wan.'
This is an admirable plan, we be-
lieve, by which the proper solution Of
the question win eventually be roach
cd. 1t is good plan because it is
based upon business principles. But
it is not without faults. as We see it.
For instance, the very terms Of the
loan feature preclude the possibility
OF the really needy boys and girls
taking advantage Of it. for, if they
cannot pay tuition as 1t comes
due, how are they gOing to pay it at
graduation? 1t would be an impos-
sibility, we believe. in 90 cases out
OF every 100. And those who could
pay at graduation could have paid
during the course Of their college
work. The thing to do. We think, is
to arrange q system Of business-like
loan to the student, with the en-
dorscment OF his or her parent or
guardian, with the lowest possible
rateIof interest that would save the
State from any loss, reimbursiug the
principal loaned and taking care of
the interest that the state would
have to pay for the money advanced.