Controversy Surrounds Zhejiang University Student Who Received Financial Aid While Traveling
Recently, a student from the School of Media and International Culture at Zhejiang University, who is reportedly from a financially disadvantaged background and has received funding, posted photos on social media showcasing his travels to multiple domestic and international destinations. This student has also been recommended for admission to the master’s program in Communication Studies at Tsinghua University. On November 22, Tsinghua University responded to inquiries from Jimu News, stating that they have received reports regarding the student and are currently investigating the matter.
Background and Public Reaction
Social media users shared information indicating that the student had been posting travel photos since January, visiting cities such as Kunming, Lijiang, and Sanya in China, as well as countries like South Korea and Japan. Many online commenters expressed their outrage, questioning, “How can a person who travels to more than 20 places in a year receive financial aid? Is this fair to every taxpayer?”
The student reportedly responded on a campus forum, detailing his financial situation, reasons for applying for aid, and travel expenses. He stated, “I have accumulated some savings through three years of work-study programs, which led to a misunderstanding on my part. I thought that after covering my tuition and living expenses with my own efforts and state support, I could take this opportunity to travel during my relatively free senior year, to broaden my horizons and visit places that my family could not afford before. I reflect deeply on this; I should not spend my earnings on non-essential experiences during this stage of my life.”
In his post, the student outlined his sources of income, which included work-study earnings, scholarships, financial aid from the school, and earnings from tutoring.
Personal Circumstances
The student shared that his parents divorced years ago, and he has a younger brother in elementary school. Currently, neither parent contributes to his living expenses or tuition, and since 2023, he has only received minimal financial support from his parents. He disclosed that his father is in significant debt, amounting to over 3 million yuan, has no property, and has had his assets seized. His mother works in a shoe factory and also carries significant debt. The student indicated that he has helped his mother repay credit card debts multiple times, with local village committee and town government documents corroborating these circumstances.
Institutional Response
On November 22, Jimu News contacted the School of Media and International Culture at Zhejiang University, where staff confirmed that the issue is under investigation, but they lacked specific details. The student affairs office at Zhejiang University stated that the university’s publicity office would provide further clarification, but the publicity office declined to comment.
Records show that the student has been recommended for admission to Tsinghua University’s Communication Studies master’s program. As for whether the current controversy will affect his eligibility for graduate school, the Academic Affairs Office at Zhejiang University acknowledged awareness of the situation and confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.
Staff from Tsinghua University’s Graduate School mentioned that they have received related reports, but they would not comment on whether the student’s actions could impact his admission status. The staff from the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University also confirmed they are looking into the allegations against the student.
This situation raises important questions about the integrity of financial aid distribution and the responsibilities of students receiving support. The outcome of the investigation will likely influence both the student’s academic future and the policies surrounding financial aid at these institutions.
