Category: Should College Be Free

Introduction

During the election of 2016, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders supported the idea of a ‘free’ college for all students attending public colleges and universities. This intrigued the minds of the youth due to skyrocketing tuition rates and the large acquirement of student debt in order to earn a degree. Though this may sound like a golden opportunity that allows success to those who cannot afford the luxury of higher education, it comes at a cost. Free or limited tuition rates have shown lower attendance from students enrolled, fairness issues, and possibly economic growth strain due to the funding of ‘free college.’

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The Promise and Costs of Free College Education

Sander’s plan for free college was estimated to cost 75 billion dollars a year. As a Republican senator, Everett Dickerson said, ‘a billion here, a billion there; pretty soon, you’re talking real money.’ (Everett Dickerson) At some point, the budget will be spread thin, causing easier access to students, but a lower quality of education might also limit capacity on the number of students that are allowed to enroll each semester. Taxes can only be increased to a certain degree. The cost of tuition may be able to be covered on the taxpayer’s dime, but things to consider would be the cost of books, supplies, room and board, and professor salaries.

The idea is to shift the cost of higher education from students to taxpayers. Eventually, all citizens will end up paying for their education and the education of others through the accumulation of payment on higher taxes. By doing this, colleges will not address their ‘wasteful cost structures’ (Kelly, Andrew P) and will continue, if not become worse, at managing the mass amounts of money colleges collect.

The Financial Strain and Quality Dilemma

As a part-time student and part-time worker paying out of pocket for my education, I understand the appeal of free college. However, when students pay high rates for their education, there is a ‘financial stake’ (Lane, Charles) involved, which encourages hard work, good study habits, going to class, and overall being accountable as a student. Free tuition does not give students the same type of responsibility. It ‘may breed entitlement, indifference, or both. If there’s anything young people don’t need, it’s that.’ (Lane, Charles)

The main goal that is trying to be achieved through free tuition is easier access to higher education for citizens in the lower middle class. As Organ began its tuition-free policies for community colleges, it was quickly seen that well-off students were benefitting from free tuition more than the intended audience. Due to the Pell Grants, state grants, and Oregon opportunity grants, lower-income students were receiving free education before Oregon became a free community college state.

Because of that, a large amount of the program’s money went to students with wealthier backgrounds who could afford to pay for their education. ‘According to the report, students from households in the top two quintiles of Oregon Promise recipients will receive a combined 60% of the program’s $11 million in disbursements’ (Cooper, Preston). The wealthy students received, on average, $2,500 for school. Meanwhile, the low-income students received, on average, $640.

Accountability and Educational Responsibility

The distribution of money is unfair, but there is little that can be done when colleges offer free tuition for everyone, regardless of their economic status. Together, a college education is a true investment in one’s future. The financial burden is a choice because there are other options available that are far cheaper and have less of a time commitment. Recently the desire for a college degree has risen due to the advertisement of a successful future. However, there are many options for vocational and trade schools that give the same opportunities for success with a cheaper price tag attached.

Equity Concerns and Consideration of Alternatives

When I graduated high school, all of my friends planned to attend either a community college or a four-year university. The problem is maybe a handful of them knew what they wanted to peruse. Though many students are confused about the field of work, they want to go into. People continue to spend exuberant amounts of money on tuition; they will either discontinue or change consistently, causing a rise in personal debt. The reason I bring this up is that the financial stake makes the individual pursuing a higher education focus more on whether it is the right fit for them quicker than if it is free. As debt rises, a student has to make the decision to either continue taking classes and making their education more of a priority or find a different path in a trade or vocational school.

Choosing the path of attending college and working hard to pay for it forces students to have a greater appreciation for their studies. Instead of dreading showing up to class or scoffing at the list of assignments given, students can see not only what their time outside of the classroom is working towards but also their improved knowledge gained when spending time communicating with the professors. As a young adult, there are some days when I truly believe there aren’t enough hours in a day to complete everything on my to-do list. If it weren’t for my financial stake in my education, my attendance at classes on campus would not be ideal for future success.

Conclusion

Free tuition would be an amazing way to relinquish the burden many students have due to debt if it ‘weren’t an indiscriminate solution.’ There is not a large enough budget to give everyone the opportunity to attend college for free. Even if there was a ginormous pot of money that could fund this large of a project, there are many things that would have to be figured out in order to distribute money wisely and cost-effectively. There would also need to be a greater incentive for students to exhibit ideal attendance and continue to perform with grades that would lead to a large number of successful graduates so that free tuition is not funding failing students.

References

1. “Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy” by Tressie McMillan
2. “Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream” by Sara Goldrick-Rab
3. “Free College: The Past, Present, and Future of a Radical Idea” by Sara Goldrick-Rab and Nancy Kendall
4. “The Case for Free College: Why Higher Education in America Should Be Universal and Free” by Nader Habibi

Introduction

The curiosity that I have had on this whole topic of higher education is why our country doesn’t offer free education at our non-profit or community college level. From what I know, most who attend a community college are either taking continued education or are not able to afford the tuition, fees, materials, and dorm costs that come with a university. It seems that more and more students or potential students are attending community colleges.

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Equality and Access to Education

They are more affordable, there is more class availability and flexibility, and credits transfer to university if you need to go beyond two years. It’s a great starting point for young students right out of high school and, most times, for older students who are maybe stuck in a rut or have lost a job due to company closure or restructuring. Sometimes adult students even consider another career choice. I know that in some other countries, higher education is a priority making it very affordable or even free. I know that most of the argument, which is in everything, is politics and government. Whatever increases our financial gains as a country, it is a priority.

Financial Strain and Sustainability

There is a lot of debate on whether public, community-based college should be free or not. The question is valid as I was doing my research, the pros, and cons that were presented canceled each other out in many ways. There are so many valid points on each spectrum of the topic that I can see why nothing has been set in stone, at least for our country. There are several countries that have already adopted and implemented tuition-free or reduced-cost college.

Before doing my research, I only knew of the UK being the place to live as they took care of their college students. But after reading, there are several others that do this as well. England, Germany, France, Mexico, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, Poland, and Europe, just to name a few. Even some of the states have adopted this way, Minnesota, Oregon, and Tennessee. Their governments have already smoothed out the rough edges and are already implementing the programs, making education a priority.

Author Kevin Carey, policy director of the Education Sector, in his article “A College Education for All, Free and Online” (1), speaks of a gentleman by the name of Shai Reshef, founder and president of the University of the People. He started a tuition-free online institution that enrolled its first class of students in 2009. The Reshef goal is to provide higher education to those students that do not have access to higher education. He says, “Some can’t afford it, or they live in countries where there are simply no good colleges to attend. Others live in rural areas or identify with a culture, an ethnicity, or a gender that is excluded from public services.” (1) There are a few requirements that students must meet.

Balancing Government Spending

They must have a high school diploma and must be proficient in the English language. A small application fee, anywhere from $10 to $50, is also required at the time of registration. Now Reshef has 1000 students in 115 different countries attending the UoPeople, as he calls it. Reshef believes that “pulling students from different cultures together is a step towards peace. He also mentioned “that low-cost, online higher education tools are the future for most people” (1), making this UoPeople a favorite amongst students. He believes that there are still thousands of students looking for this kind of help, making his vision sustainable for the future of UoPeople. However, some may disagree with his view.

Andrew P. Kelley is a resident scholar and the director of the Center on Higher Education Reform at the American Enterprise Institute. He writes an article in the NY Times, “The Problem that Free College Isn’t Free.” He says that college isn’t free. That the cost of free college just gets deflected onto taxpayers, therefore, causing public strain on budgets. Kelley also says that rather than spread funding to ALL; we should apply those funds to those who need it.

“A valuable degree is worth the investment even if you have to pay something for it.” (2) Basically, stating that if we just give away funds so students have access to “tuition-free” education that there really is no value in a degree as well as funds will likely be taken for granted, which in turn cause drop out rates to go sky high. The taxpayer gets angry about giving away their money for those students who really have no respect or motivation to achieve higher education, therefore, causing the debate to continue rather than looking at alternatives.

Value of Education and Motivation

With the rising cost of tuition, there is becoming less and less of an opportunity for high school graduates to enroll in college and earn a degree. Like 12-year-old Isabella from Simmons, “The Danger of Telling Poor Kids that College is the Key to Social Mobility.” Although it seems that she didn’t let anyone stop her from pursuing higher education, they certainly did try. She was told from a young age “to think of her family and their hopes for her, that if she got good grades that she would get into a good college and have a good career with financial independence.” (3) Isabella’s essay acknowledged her lack of economic advantages as well as her parents’ struggles which pushed her to look for intellect versus the focus on her economic status and family’s history of struggle.

As Simmons mentions, “Students are preoccupied with money. They don’t have the privilege to NOT worry about it.” (3) They dream of specific models of cars, huge houses in good neighborhoods, and meals at their favorite restaurants regardless of availability and cost. The point is if we just give students free money for college, we are also giving away the privileges of education. We are not helping with intellect. We are encouraging entitlement regardless of financial status. The proposal of free college would not only reduce the cost of education for many who already qualify for free or lower-cost education, but it would also provide free education for the students whose families have the means to pay for part or all of a college education. Therefore leaving the low-income students in virtually the same boat they are already in.

Balancing Government Spending

On the one hand, tuition-free college would promote fairness and create equality along with a guaranteed education. There would essentially be no more student loans, as there would be no need for them. Students would be able to follow their passions and abilities. The high cost of education would no longer be an obstacle. Two years of free community college allows Americans the first half of a bachelor’s degree without the debt. President Obama, while in office, proposed “America’s College Promise.” This, he says, is a “common sense idea to make community college free for all students,” and “no hardworking young person should be denied the promise of an affordable, quality education.”

Obama wasn’t the only one to promote a “promise.” In 2006, Michigan proposed the Kalamazoo Promise. As long as students continued schooling in the Kalamazoo school district from K-12, they would be eligible for 100% of tuition and fees paid to ANY public college or university in Michigan that accepts them. ( ) That is a great incentive to get your education. The downside to tuition-free college would be the likely increase in taxes. Students would flood the market, making certain courses limited to attain. Overcrowding adds to the cost of facilities that could carry such an influx. There would be a strain on limited resources. No motivation to earn a degree. Since there are so many thoughts and actions addressing this topic, alternatives could very well be an option as well.

Conclusion

The average cost of higher education in 2018, according to Sarah Goldy-Brown (4), is $10,020 for room and board and $11,490 for tuition and fees. So, with all the controversy, what about some alternatives to the issues at hand? Instead of completely tuition-free education, maybe there could be an income-based repayment system. This would help the student with loans or costs to pay a set amount based on their income so as not to increase their financial burdens not only with school but in daily living expenses. Maybe we increase the PELL Grant money and cut back on student loans.

Employers could promote incentives for employees on the job training. The issue remains taxes. Public education is funded by property taxes, so those would go up. We would have to decrease our military budget, which, in this day and time, America must have provisions for. Some other points to consider are acquiring money. Governments could close the tax loopholes with companies who avoid paying their taxes, increase the tax rates on millionaires and billionaires, as well as crack down on wasteful government spending.

References

1. “The Case Against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money” by Bryan Caplan
2. “The College Dropout Scandal” by David Kirp
3. “Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream” by Sara Goldrick-Rab
4. “The Free College Idea: How to Get a College Education without Going Broke” by Bob Rothman

Introduction

When one is deciding whether to go to college, money can often be a big factor. There are many options for assistance with paying for college, such as scholarships, grants, student loans, etc. They don’t always cover all of it, though. In some cases, it can raise the cost significantly to the point that you pay double the initial cost due to interest. Although, if college was free for someone that was striving for a high-demand career, would more people go?

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The Benefits of a College Degree

There are many benefits that come from going to college and earning a degree. With a college degree, students are more likely to make more money than that with a high school degree. A 2015 report from the U.S. Department of Education found the average worker with a bachelor’s degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker without a postsecondary education (shu). That can make a big difference in someone’s life. There is also a lesser chance of unemployment.

“In addition to the potential to make more money, earning your college degree could also lead to more career stability. According to BLS data, just 2.7% of workers with a bachelor’s degree are facing unemployment, compared to 5.2% of workers with only a high school diploma”, says SNHU.

Challenges and Obstacles

If you go to college and achieve getting a degree in a major that you are passionate about, there is more satisfaction in the job (shu). When obtaining a college degree, people are more likely to become homeowners. Also, according to SNHU, “A 2016 report from real estate company Zillow found that 75% of all home buyers were college-educated in that year, compared to just 11% who had a high school diploma only and 14% who attended some college but did not earn a degree” (SNHU).

Even with all those benefits that come with going to college, there are many factors that can put people off. Personally, there can be obstacles such as not knowing which college to choose, fear of socially not fitting in, not doing well in classes due to their performance in high school, and many more (IMAGINE AMERICA). Choosing a college can be very difficult at times, especially when you’re not sure which major you want. Although it may be difficult and stressful, there are many options available to assist you in choosing a major best fitted to you. (IA).

Another obstacle is discouragement. Discouragement can come from becoming the first one in the family to go to college, along with knowing you didn’t do well in high school, so you think you won’t do well in college courses (IMAGINE AMERICA). Colleges offer more tutoring to make sure that you understand what you are learning. Being the first one to go to college can be very nerve-racking and can often deter students. A large factor in why people don’t go to college is the cost of (IA). College can be a huge reason why people don’t go due to the inability to afford it.

The Escalating Cost of College

The cost of college has steadily increased over the years and has caused many debates on whether it should be free. College ranking can contribute greatly to the cost of tuition. College rank depends on how great the school is based on its education, programs, faculty, facilities, and more. Colleges need to keep their ranking up by keeping up with the times by upgrading their buildings and having the best buildings/sports facilities (EDMIT). There are also other factors that contribute to the overall cost. The cost of college covers the payroll of the faculty and staff, maintenance, etc. (EDMIT).

The salaries of faculty and staff have risen significantly due to the high demand of the most successful teachers to increase the college’s ranking (EDMIT). This means that the hiring college needs to match the previous salary of the incoming teacher (EDMIT). Faculty, staff, and administration’s salary “rose 39 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the American Association of University Professors” (EDMIT). If that rate continues, the price of college will soon double. When it comes to improving the college’s campus, they tend to modernize their buildings and sports arenas to show how great of a school it is (EDMIT).

Those charges are from the college; after that, there are the books, supplies, living, and travel expenses. Living on campus can prove to be as expensive as if you were paying off a house, not to mention the cost of food. Adding the cost of traveling to and from classes can be a big addition to the cost.

The Demand for High-Demand Jobs

There are many high-demand jobs today. To name a few, there are several high-demand jobs in health care, business, technology, and trade. In business, receptionists, medical secretaries, financial managers, accountants, and management analysts are in need of roughly 121,083 openings (there are more than the few I mentioned) (Trade.net). There is an average of 81,750 openings for trade school graduates, including but not limited to electricians, plumbers, truck drivers, and carpenters (Trade.net).

As technology advances, there is more and more need for technological graduates, with an average of 54,450 openings for technology (Trade.net). As for health care, there will always be a need for something in health care. Currently, there is a high demand for licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, nursing assistants, dental assistants, and many more. If college was free for those going into a program that led to a high-demand job, would those positions be filled?

If college was free, more lower-income students would reach graduation, much more people would go to college, and student debt would crush graduates’ years after they graduate (raptor). Taking the cost of college away would risk losing the importance of going to college (raptor).

I think that if college was free, people would take advantage of that and not put all the effort they could into it because they would know that they would be able to do it again. If someone did that, there would have to be consequences. People getting a free education would help get more people into school to earn degrees in the line of work that is needed.

Conclusion

There are so many obstacles that cause people not to go to college. What if one of the big ones was taken off the load because you were going into a certain field that had a high demand? There are so many jobs that are in desperate need of more qualified employees. Colleges could provide those future employees if the education needed wasn’t so hard to get. The cost of college is a very large factor in many non-college graduates’ lives.

Works Cited

1. America, Imagine. ‘Top Five Reasons Students Don’t Want to Attend College.’ Imagine America Foundation, 5 Apr. 2017, www.imagine-america.org/inside-imagine-america-newsletterspring-2007featured/. Accessed 7 Dec.
   2018.
2. Anderson, Ellen. ‘Pros and Cons of Tuition-Free College.’ College Raptor, 6 Dec. 2018, www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/affordability-college-cost/pros-cons-tuition-free-college/. Accessed 7 Dec.2018.
3. Bogle, Susan. ‘Top 10 Reasons Why College Is Important.’ Southern New Hampshire University, 2 Aug. 2018. Accessed 7 Dec. 2018.
4. Bromely, Mary. ‘Why Is College Tuition Rising So Much? And What Can You Do?’ Cornerstone University, 5 Mar. 2018, www.cornerstone.edu/blogs/lifelong-learning-matters/post/why-is-college-tuition-rising-so-much-and-what-can-you-do. Accessed 7 Dec.2018.
5. Pascarella, Sarah. ‘Why Does College Cost so Much?’ Edmit, 23 Apr. 2018, www.edmit.me/blog/why-does-college-cost-so-much. Accessed 7 Dec. 2018.
6. Turner, Cory. ‘If ‘Free College’ Sounds Too Good to Be True, That’s Because It Often Is.’ Npr, 12 Sept. 2018, www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/09/12/643673271/ if-free-college-sounds-too-good-to-be-true-that-s-because-it-often-is. Accessed 7 Dec. 2018.
7. ’25 High-Demand Jobs in 2018 for Almost Every Type of Person.’ Trade Schools, Colleges and University, 13 Nov. 2018, www.trade-schools.net/articles/ high-demand-jobs. asp. Accessed 7 Dec. 2018.

Introduction

Should college be free? This a question of many debates. College is one of the most expensive things you’ll ever spend on. From the tuition, books, living cost, and food to anything else you might need, the money stacks up. Many people in the middle and lower class are left in severe debt that would take years to pay off. People will grow up living in unsavory conditions. This causes many people to go pro-free college. Wanting their children to have a better start in life.

Body: Pros of Free College Education

Equity and Accessibility

Free college will let more people in the lower class go to college. People who tend to have more money and can pay for free college tend to look to the cons of free college. The wait lists will be long, and the college may run out of money. There will be a drastic rise in workers in a short amount of time; this will cause many to have jobs in their fields. College is one of the most important parts of someone’s life.

Economic Mobility

Free college comes with many pros to it. Many more potential workers in fields we need will go to college. Smarter people from lower-income families will be getting jobs that benefit from their expertise. More people would be going into fields that they would blossom in. Lower-income families would be able to get jobs to support them. Their children would be able to build up their life and their family’s lives, living life without the pressure of being constantly stressed.

Specialization and Job Placement

Lower-income families could receive education to get better-paying jobs. Students will have more freedom to learn what they wish. They will enjoy working, therefore raising the population’s happiness. People would do jobs they like therefore putting more effort into their work. Finally, we will have a smarter nation that will make better decisions and can solve more difficult challenges.

Conclusion

With the pros to free college come the cons to it. Since so many people would be going to college, the wait lists would be long. In extreme cases, people could wait years before they could get in. Many would not be able to go because of the surge of people. Colleges would be overcrowded, and many might not get the help they need. Housing will be almost impossible to get. The money would eventually run thin. State budgets would get strained, and many colleges will close. Many activities would be shut down because there would be no money to support him.

References

1. “The Case Against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money” by Bryan Caplan
2. “Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream” by Sara Goldrick-Rab
3. “The Case for Free College: Why Higher Education in America Should Be Universal and Free” by Robert Samuels