Shaanxi: Needy students shouldn't waste money

Circular sparks objections online, with some calling guideline unfair

A circular issued on Tuesday by education authorities in Shaanxi province quickly attracted public attention as it laid down guidelines for judging whether college students come "from poor families" - a precondition for financial aid.

Students who rent apartments off campus or who go to internet bars frequently cannot be recognized as being impoverished and thus are not eligible to receive financial support from the government, according to the circular from the Education Department of the Shaanxi Provincial Government.