Eddie and college

The ClubHouse: Big Brother 2000: General - Archives: Houseguests: Eddie: Eddie and college

Towne

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 07:55 pm Click here to edit this post

We all know that Eddie and his family have had to find a way to deal with his medical bills, but does anyone know how they managed to also get him into UT? Was it a scholarship program of some kind? I can't imagine trying to cover his med bills and paying for tuition at the same time.

Jana

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 07:59 pm Click here to edit this post

i would imagine that he has some scholarships....not trying to be condescending here at all, but people with disabilities generally have great opportunities to get grants and scholarships for college, especially someone that is playing on the wheel chair basketball circuit....there are so many scholarships and grants out there that people don't take advantage of...really pretty much ANYONE can get SOME money for college, but persons with disabilities can usually find a lot of money out there providing that they are dedicated students like our Eddie! :)

Jenhavins

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 07:59 pm Click here to edit this post

He received a scholarship for wheelchair basketball to UTA. I would imagine that it doesn't cover books or cost of living, but covering tuition does help. I am not sure about what each semester hour cost because it is a state school, but I do know that private schools around here (SMU and Baylor to name 2) do have tuition costs anywhere to $280 and up per semester hour, wheras a state school would be much much much less. Hope this helps. :)

Jenhavins

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 08:00 pm Click here to edit this post

Oops...meant whereas in my last post...I have a hard time typing late at nite!

Fruitbat

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 08:09 pm Click here to edit this post

In Eddies video on the first show it shows he and his brother swimming in their backyard pool. I think the family is doing OK financially. I am sure they can pay for his books. It's time to put the violins away......he won.

I apologize for being testy. I'm just done with the whole Eddie thing. I'll shut up now and go back to the Curtis thread like a good girl.

Towne

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 08:27 pm Click here to edit this post

Thanks,Jenhavins. Answers my question. Never been a fan of Eddies, but I'm glad he managed to catch a break after his bout with cancer.

Fruitbat

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 08:44 pm Click here to edit this post

Towne....just so you know, my post was not directed at you. I have no business being on an Eddie thread. He was in my pick for final 3 but I'm just sick of him now. I have a Curtis in 3rd place melodrama going on here, so I just sashayed over here and spit. I'm going to bed now.

Petunia

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 08:48 pm Click here to edit this post

Fruitbat, you're killing me.

Towne

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 09:18 pm Click here to edit this post

No prob, Fruitbat. Yes, Eddie is a very unpleasant person. Just wondered how...(see topic)

Ginger

Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 09:26 pm Click here to edit this post

Fruitbat--I am your soul sister baby! I wanted Eddie in the final three too, but not because he was any kind of saint. I have three words to say here and they are:

curtis
curtis
curtis

Fruitbat

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 04:11 am Click here to edit this post

Ginger...I put a message for you in the message section a while back (you have no email).....you dropped from sight there for a bit. I was wondering where my seperated at birth twin was!

Jenhavins

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 06:34 am Click here to edit this post

Ginger, I have the same three words to say!

Ginger

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 07:31 am Click here to edit this post

Okay, Jenhavins and Fruitbat, now we've turned the "Eddie and College" thread into the "We Love Curtis" thread. Are we happy now? Huh? (Yes we are!)

So Fruitbat, I just checked the message board and left one for you under "my" thread. Who knew such a thing existed??? Not me.

On the topic of Eddie and College...on the topic of George's kids and college...or anyone and college. This whole "emergency" mentality mystifies me. First, a story: I grew up poor. More poor (at least as far as I can tell) than Eddie or George. My mother had no money at all to give me to go to college. Thanks to the fact that a combination of scholarships, grants and loans are available to all students in the U.S. I was able to go to college. Do I have a mountain of debt? You bet I do. Is it fair that many of my peers don't have this mountain of debt by simple virtue of being born to parents who had the ability to pay for their education out of pocket? No, but that's another issue. My point is that so many people--including the houseguests--took this tone that if George couldn't scrape $50,000 together by Christmas, his daughter would not be able to go to college. This is completely false!!! I found it stunning that people like Jamie, Curtis, and Josh (who all have stated that they have student loan debts) didn't just say, "Hey, quite your whining. We had to pay for our college education. And we're still paying for it now." You think Curtis didn't go into debt at Stanford Law School?

Okay, back to Eddie. I understand, as Jenhavins wrote above, that he has a scholarship. Good for him. I think that Eddie's "financial need" has been misinterpreted at times, or confusing. Perhaps he does struggle to pay for his expenses at college that aren't covered by the scholarship. Perhaps he has some medical bills. Most often, however, I heard him state that he wanted to win the money so that he could buy a nicer house for his parents. And much as I'd hoped Curtis would win, I'm happy for Eddie that he will get to do that.

Sophronia

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 08:21 am Click here to edit this post

Ginger, Eddie also has said that he wanted to move his family out of the neighborhood that they are in now. It is located by high tension electrical wires , which some studies show, cause cancer. Eddie has said that there is a high occurance of cancer in his neighborhood. Even the man who lived in their house before them had it.

Jenhavins

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 08:36 am Click here to edit this post

This probably belongs on another thread, but it has to do with college, so I will babble on right here.

I am also glad to see that Eddie will get to do something financially beneficial for his family. You have to also commend the boy for at least getting a scholarship to go to school. You do have to actually do a little research in order to find the schools that offer the scholarships for your specialty. But then again, it might have fallen in his lap. At least he is going to school.

However, I have questions on George's college concerns for his daughters.

I was raised up in a financially strong family (not upper class, but stable middle income) and had a lot of opportunities as far as culture was concerned (dad was a band director and we lived in a variety of different places...like anyone cares). We ended up in Texas because my mother was raised here and my father wanted to retire where my opportunities for education would be best (I had a whopping selection of either here or Kentucky). I was never allowed to work during high school, because studies came first.

My dad offered to help me partially through college (I wanted to go to a private college, same as my mom because of sorority), but I decided to do it on my own. I got a partial music scolorship, and grants and loans for the rest (and mind you, partial scholarship doesn't cover much at a private school).

Basically, I didn't want my parents to pay my way. I wanted to get my education on my own. There are enough grants and loans (if you study up on it) for you to do it by yourself, and yes, I did have a lot to pay back, but I didn't have to depend on my parents (not that there is anything wrong with that) and I stood on my own two feet. Grants & loans paid for my living expenses, books, and some tuition, and I also worked part time for a Prof. in the Business School for a little spending money (during breaks and summer).

My personal opinion is that George's daughter (who didn't seem like she cared about school anyway) could have done this on her own, or even with her parents help, if her heart was in it. It seemed like George went on and on about not having the money to send his daughter to school as an excuse (or like it was a last minute thought). I am glad she got the scholarship, and I hope he learns that he needs to save for his other 2 children still in the house. END OF RANT!

Snogrl

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 09:14 am Click here to edit this post

George's whining about college money for his daughter was a ploy to win the prize money. He was creating a "who needs it the most scenario". One night on the live feeds he was speaking to Cassandra. She was telling him there are many ways to get help for his daughters college money. She proceeded to list scholarships (does she have good grades), grants and loans. She explained to him what it took for her to go to school. George said "That's the thing, I'm not even sure she wants to go."

I don't begrudge his daughter receiving the scholarship, but from George's own mouth it seemed what she really wanted was a car.

Ginger

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 09:46 am Click here to edit this post

Sophronia--yes, you are right about the cancer-causing things in Eddie's neighborhood. Thank goodness he can get them out of there.

Jenhavins and Snogrl--nice posts. I completely agree with the sentiment that George seemed far more concerned about his daughter going to college than she did. I'm glad she got that full ride from South Vermont (is that what it's called?), but whether you have to pay for everything or nothing in college, determination is the only thing that will really get you through.

Fruitbat

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 10:05 am Click here to edit this post

You go girls!!! Happy dance.......Happy dance. :)

Jenhavins

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 10:19 am Click here to edit this post

Fruitbat...you crack me up!!!!

Deanie

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 01:24 pm Click here to edit this post

Snogrl -- I remember George saying that too (that his daughter was really not interested in college) and I was really surprised by his daughter's reaction when the scholarship was announced. Of course, he may have been wanting her to go to a local college and a college in Vermont that probably no one else in her class will be attending sounds a lot more glamorous and exciting. Maybe this is the kick that she needs to get her interested in college and she will decide to buckle down and work on her grades.

I agree that he was just using the college tuition thing as a bait to get people to feel sorry for him. I was a single mother and absolutely could not save for my daughters' college but together we managed to get them through. We paid loans for a long time afterwards but it was worth every cent.

Katie

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 01:38 pm Click here to edit this post

I was wondering about what he said about his daughter and college and then when she got the scholarship she seemed so thrilled. It didn't make much sense to me and then I wondered if maybe she wanted to go but thought that she couldn't because of the money and so thought that she would pretend that she didn't really want to go after all.

Nagster

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 01:45 pm Click here to edit this post

You can tell how very old I am, considering that to my mind scholarships are awarded for just being an outstanding scholar.

In my day, one had to have an excellent grade point average in high school in order to get even a small amount of money with which to attend college. Oh, way back then I suppose athletes DID get to go on to college if they played some sort of sport that was going to help that particular institution of higher knowledge win trophies, etc., but can someone tell me just when anybody became eligible for a "scholarship?"

My daughter was able to obtain grants (which took a lot of research to apply for) and student loans which put her through the university, graduate school and enabled her to get her Ph.D., but even then one had to have outstanding high school grades to get a scholarship.

As I asked, when did this all change?

Meandmyshadow

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 01:46 pm Click here to edit this post

George's daughter will be in for the shock of her life. She will be leaving the flat rural farm area of Rockford, Illinois for the lower ranges of the Green Mountains of Vermont. She will be living one thousand miles from her home, family, and friends.

The campus of Southern Vermont is beautiful but isolated. It is very small and has very limited facilities.

I think it would be a great test of resolve for George's daughter to last 1 year in that environment...let alone the 4 years necessary to get a B.A. degree.

She probably would have been better off starting at a local junior college with little pressure and less expectations placed on her. If she thrived in that environment, she could have tranfered to a 4 year school and applied for scholarships or student loans.

The publicity and hoopla surrounding George and Teresa won't help either.

Fruitbat

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 01:51 pm Click here to edit this post

Ferget it, Katie. Bleck

Katie

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 01:54 pm Click here to edit this post

Don't think so Fruitbat? Could you explain the inconsistency for me please? I really don't get it.

Ginger

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 02:11 pm Click here to edit this post

I think that George's daughter was so excited because it's exciting to be told you've "won" or been granted anything, especially something as huge as a four free years of college. Plus, she probably does have some desire to go to college--based on what George said, she's neither here nor there on the issue, which is true of many people her age. I certainly don't believe that she had been burying her lifelong dream in order to console her father.

Nagster--I think it still is true that one has to be an outstanding scholar or athlete to get a "real" scholarship, but there are great exceptions, such as in the case of George's daughter. What they awarded her can best be described as a remission of tuition and housing fees, rather than an academic award. Aside from all of that, you can be the worst student on the planet and still receive huge student loans as long as you can find a college that will admit you.

Jenhavins

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 02:42 pm Click here to edit this post

I agree Ginger. Most private schools require at least a 3.1 GPA or above and score 1100 or above on SAT's before gaining admittance. State schools lower their GPA and SAT's somewhat, but they still require that you be smarter than a stump to attend. Two year community colleges are great for those who grades need some help, and they are very reasonable. You can also completely transfer to a four year university once you have earned an Associates, or raised your GPA.

All I am saying is that where there is a will, there is a way and I hope George's daughter has it in her to make the most of this wonderful gift she has been given. I am sure there are thousands of other students that would jump at an opportunity like this. She is very lucky.

Fruitbat

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 02:55 pm Click here to edit this post

Katie, sorry, I didn't mean to be disrespectful. Anything related to George gives me brain cramps. I still get all ticky and sweat more than usual at the mere thought. Jess wants to go to college as much as I want to pack back up any incline.

My take is that his daughter has NO desire to further her education, at all. Never did. She wants a car. That is fine. Majorly OK. There is no requirement here. As a matter of fact I could elaborate about blue collar workers being the back bone of our culture. So defend that. Don't present the victim of society crap.

How noble to want to educate your children. Ug..Ug..Ug.....Uggy, ug, ug. Curtis and Britt should get married. I need to find a sports bra that fits and a pearl nail polish that covers evenly.

I curtsy and exit.

Snogrl

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 05:25 pm Click here to edit this post

Oh Fruitbat, you make me laugh

Katie

Wednesday, October 04, 2000 - 05:36 pm Click here to edit this post

Fruitbat,
I didn't take it as you being disrespectful. I was just very confused as to why it seemed as if she was so excited to go to college when George said she wanted a car instead. What you and Ginger have said makes sense to me. Now maybe one of you could explain to me why it is that George is so anxious for her to go if she isn't interested. To me if she isn't really interested then she isn't going to really try and she won't do well and so it would be a waste of money for her to go.
Your thoughts please?

Fruitbat

Friday, October 06, 2000 - 11:55 am Click here to edit this post

Katie, I think there is pressure in our culture to go to college. If you don't want to, there is a stigma. It just smacked of George finding yet another plea for the win. How noble to want money to better your children. I was just feeling frisky about this. There are ways to go to school for most everyone as many stated.

Oh, and if you want to marry Curtis...that would be hunky dory too. ;)

Wcv63

Friday, October 06, 2000 - 02:08 pm Click here to edit this post

In my state (Louisiana) residents can go to state colleges for free as long as they maintain a minimum GPA. Because Louisiana isn't known for its dedication to high academic ideals I tend to believe that this option is available in other states as well (how many I'm not sure and I have no idea about Illinois).

Shadowkat9

Friday, October 06, 2000 - 02:12 pm Click here to edit this post

I live in Illinois and went to an Illinois State Univ. and that wasn't an option. We pay less for tuition than out of state residents, but it's still expensive.

Karuuna

Friday, October 06, 2000 - 03:47 pm Click here to edit this post

Katie, it's not unusual for parents to want their children to go to college, and ignore what their children want for themselves. In George's case, it might even be that he wants her to do what he really wanted for himself. He did talk about his own interest in going to college, and maybe he's just trying to live vicariously thru her? It's not at all unusual for parents to do that, tho it's obviously misguided and unhealthy.