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Whitmer Student Offers Himself on eBay

TOLEDO -- You can pretty much find anything on eBay. How about a Whitmer high school grad trying to get someone to pay for his college tuition? 19-year-old Chad Evearitt would like to go to the University of Toledo and study business. He's hoping the internet highway speeds him towards a college education. He's auctioning himself off on eBay.

"It goes by the biggest bid--so whoever has the highest bid will sponsor me for college," said Evearitt. So what does Chad's college sponsor get? "I'll give them postcards, keep them updated on how I'm doing and hopefully make a friend or two," said Evearitt.

Chad says he's a hard worker. "I work a full time job. I work a part-time job at Star 105 on the weekends. I've gotten good grades, I've been active when I was in school and I need an education." But despite all that, he didn't get any scholarships, and attempts to get grants from the federal government have failed because, "You have to be at least 24 or 25 years old, you have to be married or have a kid, or be in the military," said Evearitt.

Even though Chad has lived on his own and filed his taxes separately from his parents for two years, the U.S. Department of Education says his parents income must also be calculated in when it comes to financial need. Chad's trying to avoid taking out a student loan.

He hopes the eBay ad will do the trick. Radio station co-workers hope people listen to Chad's story. Star 105 D.J., Joe P., said "I think it's a great idea. I wish him the best of luck. As somebody who had to go through the same process myself, I hope it works out. It's great to see something like this for somebody working so hard."

Chad's ad has been on eBay for three days, it will stay for three more. "I have a couple of bids going right now. The bids are $20.50, but it's only going up from there," said Evearitt hopefully. And if the eBay idea doesn't pan out, "You can mail checks to me. And I take credit cards too," joked Evearitt.

On the Web:
Chad's listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5570534829

Posted by AEB