This is my first diary ever, although I do hang out with the Pootie people a bit, mostly as a lurker, sometimes with a comment or two. Today I am meeting with a woman from Northern Illinois University Foundation to hand her the first check for a scholarship in my parent's name. I have willed my IRA to NIU as well. That was done 2 years ago, but my husband, NormAl1792 and I agreed that waiting until I died was wasting some talented young scholar a better chance in life. The money is coming out of the IRA, so realistically it is not costing us anything. The money is tax deductible. I am writing this diary because I feel very strongly about spreading the word on how relatively painless it is to give someone a bit better chance in life. When I went to college, 40 years ago, it was still possible to work your way through college and end up with little debt, which is what I did. That is no longer possible. Tuition and other costs are just too high.
I realize that not everyone even has a IRA / 401K, but there are enough that do. It might be something to think about. A case of paying forward in a very real sense; in a way that will help someone get a better life. I spoke of the scholarship at a dinner once and was rabidly attacked by a Tea Party person as just supporting someone who was too lazy to get the money themselves. That's their side; our side is better, in my belief.
If anyone wants to email me about how this process is done, please use Kosmail.