[pincemob]

I don't think it's such a slippery slope.  First, I think very few student-athletes would relinquish their scholarship.  Athletes love the fact that they get scholarships, free meals, and other perks which paying students do not.  In my experience, this was cherished by athletes who came from means as much as by those who did not.    Second, I think we are overestimating the percentage of athletes' parents who have an extra $25,000-50,000 laying around.  Definitely less than 1%.  And even those who do would probably be as excited to pay for Junior's school as they are to pay another 2% income tax. 

It would obviously be a penalty to pay for someone else's kid.  I think the NCAA is pretty clear about this and good at enforcing it.  I recall when Mr. Leinart was busted for paying more than 50% of Matt's rent (as I recall, Matt roomed with Dwayne Jarrett and even though Jarrett was paying a reasonable rent, this was deemed a violation). 

[pincemob]

I don't think it's such a slippery slope.  First, I think very few student-athletes would relinquish their scholarship.  Athletes love the fact that they get scholarships, free meals, and other perks which paying students do not.  In my experience, this was cherished by athletes who came from means as much as by those who did not.    Second, I think we are overestimating the percentage of athletes' parents who have an extra $25,000-50,000 laying around.  Definitely less than 1%.  And even those who do would probably be as excited to pay for Junior's school as they are to pay another 2% income tax. 

It would obviously be a penalty to pay for someone else's kid.  I think the NCAA is pretty clear about this and good at enforcing it.  I recall when Mr. Leinart was busted for paying more than 50% of Matt's rent (as I recall, Matt roomed with Dwayne Jarrett and even though Jarrett was paying a reasonable rent, this was deemed a violation).