CSC Scholarship - January / February Stipend

[geometry]

Hi,

 

I have a quick question for CSC scholarship recipients. There's normally supposed to be a living stipend provided by the universities in both January and February (despite them being months without classes), right?

 

The reason I ask is because my university is saying that there's no money to be given out during these months...however I'm pretty certain this is a lie because I have acquaintances at other universities, in and outside of the city I'm studying in who are all getting the living stipend for these two months.

 

 

 

I'm pretty furious because it seems pretty clear to me that the school is taking the money for their own use, but I'm not sure what steps I can take to get the money..if any. Would contacting the CSC be of any use? If anyone has any advice to offer, it'd be gladly appreciated. 

[Chris Two Times]

Which university is this?

 

I guess you could report it to CSC, the Chinese embassy in your own country, and your country's embassy in China and see what may happen; letting as many parties as possible be aware of this could be a good first step even if nothing immediately happens--building awareness that this is going on will be good for the future.

 

Best of luck in this!

 

Warm regards,

Chris Two Times

[roddy]

First off, don't assume it's a scam* - you could just be dealing with someone who doesn't know how it works, it could be that the money will come though, but not until after the holiday, etc. And you're going to be there for the next six months, so if you can solve this without accusing them, so much the better.

 

If you haven't done so, go in, preferably with documentation from the CSC or off the CSC website, and explain that you should be getting that money. Don't say 'you are keeping our money, you criminals', say 'there must be some misunderstanding, perhaps you are unaware that...'  Be persistent, but polite. Ask them for help in solving this problem, which you understand isn't their fault, but due to a mistake at the CSC. Can they contact the CSC - here, you've prepared the contact details for them, it'd be really helpful if...? You'll get in touch with them too, and if that doesn't work you'll phone your embassy and anyone else (university / Confucius Institute) who comes to mind. If possible speak to a few different people at the uni and get other students to go in with the same approach.

 

Which uni are you at?

 

* Ok, assume it's a scam, but pretend you're sure it's just some misunderstanding. 

[Chris Two Times]

I backtrack and second roddy's suggestion as a good first path of action to take--I feel that is the best way to act in the Chinese context.

 

[added later]: Haha! I just read the "fine print" at the end of roddy's post.

 

Warm regards,

Chris Two Times