Post-graduation debt is a problem many college students face after earning their degrees. On Jan. 13, many students received an email proposing a solution to this debt.

A dating website based out of Las Vegas called SeekingArrangement.com gives students a unique opportunity to acquire financial aid.

SeekingArrangement.com is the world’s largest ‘sugar daddy’ website, with over 2.7 million registered users and works similar to a dating site.

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According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a “sugar daddy” is a rich older man who gives money, gifts, etc., to someone in exchange for sex, friendship, etc. For this site, ‘sugar daddies’ seek a ‘sugar baby’, a student, to begin a mutually beneficial relationship or a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Leroy Velasquez, the in-house public relations manager for SeekingArrangement. com, said the website pairs wealthy benefactors with attractive members who are looking to improve their life, whether that be through mentorship, networking opportunities or paying bills and loans.

“The goal is promote mutually beneficial arrangements that add value to your life,” he said.

“The goal is to promote mutually beneficial arrangements that add value to your life,” he said.

SIU is ranked 52 of 77 as one of the “Top fastest growing sugar baby schools.” Velasquez said 31 members signed up within the last year alone. These figures are based on the number of students who have registered on the website with an siu.edu email account, he said.

The top rated school in the United States is the University of Central Florida with a total of 474 members, he said.

On average, sugar babies receive around $3,000 a month from their benefactors.

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Velasquez said they are very strict when it comes to the security of the members’ private information.

“There is a code of conduct they sign once they join the website,” he said. “They aren’t escorting. They aren’t prostituting. They aren’t doing anything illegal, which includes creating fake profiles, and they have to adhere to this code of conduct before they create their account.”

SeekingArrangement.com has a 24-hour support team who deals with fraudulent profiles, chargebacks, fake members or anything that goes against the code of conduct, Velasquez said.

Despite the code of conduct, students have mixed opinions.

Grace Katalinich, a junior from Springfield studying art education, said she thinks its all wrong and that the website should not exist.

“I would never be a part of something like this, but I think some girls might really need the help,” she said.

Chrishelle Bryant, a junior from Carbondale studying psychology, said she would not join the site but she understands why people would.

“I understand some people’s situation, they might not be able to afford school,” she said.

Jack Yucknut, a freshman studying TV and digital media radio, said the decision to join is up to the person.

“Girls probably wouldn’t be thinking about doing it in the first place unless they saw the website,” he said. “Seeing the website might convince some girls to do it, but I do think it’s wrong for the men to be doing this.”

Kyle Sutton can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter @KyleSutton_DE, or 536-3311 ext. 258.