crims13

Current one shuts down unexpectedly.. usually when I have around 50% battery power -- it just makes a clicking noise and shuts down. I have also used 78 of the 80 gb available on the hard drive and is slow.


My school sent me a letter the other day which said they were offering me a $1300 grant towards a new laptop.


Is it intended for kids who have never had a personal computer? We're not that poor. But my parents can't just go out and buy me a new laptop.

Chedva

It should be fine. If you're questioning whether you really qualified for the grant, you can call. But if they didn't ask whether you already had a computer, then it probably doesn't matter.

crims13

no, i'm talking about the ethics of it..

i know that the grant is for me, without any obligations or requirements, but I' don't know..

greennblue

Laptop problems can be really inconvenient and tend to get worse. To ease your conscience, tell the college what you've written here about your old laptop, and I bet they will say to get the new one.

NJ113

It sounds like your school gives the laptop grant to all students regardless of need. My D school has a similar grant program, not for laptops, but for summer internships. All students are entitled to get a one time internship grant during their 4-years. This encourages students to consider unpaid internships without having to worry about earning enough money to pay for their college expenses. Your school probably has applied this same philosophy towards laptops. They want everyone to be similarly equipped.

Chedva

I don't think there's anything unethical about accepting a grant for which you are entitled. The college has determined on what they want to spend their money. If they decide that all students should have new computers (as NJ113 says), and gives the money to enable that to happen, that's their choice, and you are perfectly justified in taking that money and spending it on a computer.

It would only be possibly unethical if you knew that it was for a computer, but went out and spent it on something else.

swimcatsmom

I don't think it is unethical at all for you to accept the grant and get a new computer. I have to say it is very refreshing to see someone thinking about whether accepting a grant is ethical when other people are so busy trying to find ways to game the system. Good for you!

excelblue

It basically comes down to:

1.) You can't use your current laptop. (Ok, maybe marginally, but with all the problems, it's almost like you don't have one in the first place)

2.) You can't afford to get a new one yourself.

I don't see an ethical problem with using the grant. It was meant for people who can't afford laptops to get that laptop they need to survive reasonably in today's environment. I think you fit that profile nicely.

Erin's Dad

^ The OP posted this three years ago. I think s/he figured something out by now.