So I've been getting letters from the financial aid office saying I need to pick up a check. I thought it was just some bureaucratic glitch since I already paid all my tuition. Turns out they think I need more money, they said I qualified for a grant earlier and now I can get it. I told them I already paid for school and that I didn't need any more money, and they looked at me like I was retarded. They said I could spend the money on whatever I wanted, rent, food, whatever.

I think the guy said the check was around $1800, and that taking it wouldn't disqualify me from applying for financial aid next year. So what should I do? Taking the check is simply more money in my pocket, although it means I can probably move out sooner and have a higher chance of successfully living sans parents. On the other hand it's money that was taken by force and offered to me simply because I'm not already rich.

Is it a grant or a loan? If its a grant take it for sure, if it's a loan you should probably take it if its subsidized (unless you really don't need $1800). If it's not subsidized you should figure out just how much $1800 is worth to you right now. Interest on student loans is super low and unless you don't pay them back they don't have much impact on most credit rating methods, they're generally one of the best loans available unless you are rich or hooked up. If you already have any kind of student loans you can compare interest rates, if the $1800 is lower take it and use it to pay down a different loan (or even better, a credit card).

then it's free money.....right?

Where did we get the sense the money was "stolen?" It is not uncommon for financial aid packages to include living money.

Taxes being the system by which money is collected and put to use for the alleged good of the country. It's swinging in your favor. You would be no worse a man to accept the opportunity presented. If it'll make you feel better, do something really worthwhile with it.

If it's really a question of sympathy for people who won't pay taxes, then I suppose that's an issue that you and only you can resolve. Anyone else would take the money.

Given my limited knowledge of the tax system, I'm going to divide 1800 by 304,059,724, the current googlable American population.

On average, every tax-paying American citizen has paid 0.00059198896069510343961240983037924 cents of that check.

This, of course, neglects the idea sub-18 human beings. Personally, I think they're a myth.

This is very true. I know my wife probably wouldn't be able to go to law school if she didn't get a full scholarship and 10k a year in grants/loans. I know I couldn't afford all her hidden expenses (good clothes, books, law society crap) with the job I have so it really helps us out.

If you aren't struggling financially then you can just take the money and give it to some poor people. Tell them it's a government handout.

There's something to be said for wearing clothes and not killing people.