MD proposes free tuition for Eagle Scous
 

House committee skeptical of free tuition for Scouts
By DAVID ABRAMS, Staff Writer
That's too many Girl Scout cookies.

Members of a House committee essentially had that
response to a bill that would waive tuition and fees
for Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Award winners at
public colleges and universities.

The cost after five years: as much as $10.4 million.

With so many programs competing for state dollars, the
bill got a cool reception from a committee resistant
to new spending without some way to pay for it. And
judging by the tone of the questioning, it is unlikely
the bill will win support.

A Cecil County Republican proposed the bill to keep
top Scouts from attending out-of-state universities.
Del. Michael Smigiel, whose district includes Queen
Anne's County, said Scouts benefit the community with
their volunteer work.

"We'd very much like to offer them an incentive to
stay in the state, and stay in Scouting," he told the
House Appropriations Committee at a hearing yesterday.

Based on current numbers, about 200 to 300 new Scouts
could qualify and enter four-year public colleges and
universities each year under the bill.

Several Scouts testified in favor of the bill, and
about 100 submitted written testimony in favor of free
tuition.

Amanda Cohen, a senior at Archbishop Spalding High
School in Millersville who aspires to become a Spanish
teacher, said she's not the typical athlete or
straight-A student who would qualify for a
scholarship.

But as a Scout, the Davidsonville 17-year-old has
helped cancer patients get access to resources for
starting a family, and helped poor children in
Appalachia get books for school.

"Other kids can earn scholarships for sports or
academics," she told the committee. "I haven't asked
for anything in return for the work I have done."

Her mother, Barbara Cohen, said Scouts have been
providing service for free.

"You are not paying for this," she said. "You're
paying back."

Committee members stressed that while they believed
Scouts were valuable and did a lot for the community,
they were a little put off by a special tuition break
that would benefit a specific group.

Right now, the state only allows a free ride for about
8,000 foster care children. Mr. Smigiel said the
highest ranked Boy and Girl Scouts should have the
same opportunity.

"You do recognize the unique situation that foster
care children have?" said Del. Melony Griffith,
D-Prince George's.

Other delegates shook their heads at the cost of the
measure.

"Someone has to pay for it," said Del. Peter Franchot,
D-Montgomery. "It's not like it's free."

That's ridiculous, IMO. We're already taxed out the ying-yang as it stands.

I understand the worry about where the money goes, but I think the idea of helping such award EARNERS is a great idea.

The Gold Award of the GSUSA is not a cake walk to earn. It takes about 24 months to earn and involves 4 - 6 different service projects, planning and leadership. It includes earning several additional awards in the path to Gold.

http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/highest_awards/gold_award.asp

The Eagle Scout Award of BSA is a little involved, but still involves considerable planning and leadership skills.

http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-516.html

The US Military allows an individual recipient of these awards to enter service at a higher rank as well.

I feel like having something like that on a college application would boost one's chances at receiving scholarship money anyway. There really isn't a need for the government to pay for schooling for those students who have reached that level.

Also, not to say that it isn't a presitigous honor, but where do you draw the line. There are other prestigous honors that students could earn; are those any less worthy of free tuition?

Right. Or what about those who do just as much community service but not for the Eagle Scout/Gold Award? I know plenty of people in high school who did tons and tons of community service that wasn't aimed at acquiring some award. If they're going to give out tuition for those who did lots and lots of community service, that would be one thing -- but why limit it to just Scouts?

Wouldn't there also be an issue because the boy scouts discriminate based on sexual orientation? If it's government money going towards funding the scholarships, you can bet your ass there'd be a pile of lawsuits

Hell, if they're wanting to give away free tuition for Eagle Scouts and Gold Award winners, don't forget the winners of an even more difficult award to earn: Civil Air Patrol's Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award. Less than 1600 cadets have earned it and the three-diamond rank of cadet colonel since the award was instituted in the 1960s. Shortsighted politicians... (sigh)

BTW, I'm not one of the hallowed 1500 or so Spaatz award recipients as a former CAP cadet - highest rank I got was cadet major, earning the Amelia Earhart award (whose certificate I still have to this day).

To say nothing of questionable racial practices in some areas in the past.

(Yes, I'm a former Boy Scout, but nowhere close to Eagle)

Did this pass?
 

I thought I read in the Post that this measure passed. I wish my state gave free tuition to my Gold Award child or at least an automatic acceptance to the in-state college of her choice!