The Chinese college scholarship system includes financial aid packages specifically designed for students from low-income families, to help them in their pursuit of higher education.

Recently, the consumption pattern of one scholarship student enrolled at Zhejiang University became the source of much online debate.

Going by the student's social media posts, he (or she) and his (or her) friends had traveled abroad several times, frequented fancy restaurants and purchased state-of-the-art electronic products, leading many netizens to doubt their "underprivileged" background.

The student later responded they had paid for the aforementioned luxuries by working part-time, in addition to using their scholarship funds.

Now, the general public wonders: Shouldn't scholarships and grants go to those who cannot afford to pay for necessary living expenses?

In response to the ongoing debate, several universities have come up with advices regarding the rational use of scholarships, as well as other national funds, to guide students in the reasonable and effective use of financial aid.

Chen Guangjiang (Yangcheng Evening News): There are different types of scholarships and funds, all with different intentions. For instance, some are awarded to students with outstanding academic performance, and even those from affluent families can apply. Others specifically aim to provide financial support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, some scholarships take into account both a student's academic achievements and their family circumstances.

Nonetheless, indulging in extravagant consumption should not be encouraged, and virtues such as diligence and thrift will never become outdated. For students who are not yet economically independent, it is particularly important to use the limited funds at their disposal wisely—to maximize their value.

Admittedly, students from underprivileged backgrounds have the right and freedom to pursue a decent lifestyle, one that goes beyond merely buying food and clothing. But this pursuit cannot and must not go against the original intentions of the scholarship system; otherwise it will be difficult to convince the public about the purpose of extending financial aid. Rights and obligations go hand in hand and some scholarship recipients must adjust their behaviors, such as extravagant habits.

The recent advices encouraging students to wisely and reasonably use scholarships showcase the willingness of universities to take on the responsibility of teaching students about life—outside the classroom.

Cui Jianing (Rednet.cn): It is not unreasonable for universities to give guidance on the use of scholarships. Some students may not have a clear understanding of financial aid and consider it an "additional income" to be spent at their leisure. The scholarship student from Zhejiang University shared photos of them traveling to multiple places, both domestically and internationally, on social media. But theirs is not a single case, as some students from other universities exhibit similar consumption patterns or have similar thoughts.

A person who can afford to travel abroad several times cannot be considered "underprivileged." This not only constitutes a waste of limited educational resources, but also harms the interests of other students who truly need help.

The initiative drafted by Baoding University of Technology in Hebei Province, for example, mentions avoiding lavish consumption, including that of luxury goods, entertainment and travel.

However, their initiatives require further clarification in terms of specific situations. Schools should recognize beforehand that scholarship winners come from different family backgrounds and have clear differences in consumption behaviors.

We should not categorically label all consumption of luxury goods and high-end products as "bad," and fine-tune the definition of unhealthy consumption patterns.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

Comments to zhangyage@cicgamericas.com