KALAMAZOO, Mich.—In 2005, caught in a spiral of urban decay and a falling population, Kalamazoo embarked on a bold experiment to save itself. It would give local students free college tuition.
The program, funded by anonymous donors who pay the bill each year, kicked off a free-college movement that has gained traction across the U.S. More than 300 cities and states have some variety of free-tuition program, although most aren’t as generous. Many of the 2020 Democratic presidential contenders support some form of free college...
Nothing new. Oklahoma has given free tuition (state public colleges & universities or tuition help for private schools) since 1992 for those making $50k per year or less. This was above median income then & is just slight below now. It’s more Progressive than Vermont, Bernie.
If we don’t educate the masses we all pay for it. How do you think Donald Trump happened?
So? At least they are not in debt. In America, people who sign up for college commit to unpayable debts they can't escape even if college does it work out for them. Free college is the solution, and those who can hack it will get their degrees. Even dropouts learn something.
A free ride is not always best...
Facts and prior experience are bigoted and irrelevant. Let's just have the government take over whatever parts of the economy it doesn't currently control and regardless of any prior experience to the contrary that will fix everything.
The trouble with free no appreciation for the work.
Who is surprised? Money well spent, eh?
When I was that age. Free college - Free PARTY! I finally worked and paid for my own college. NO LOANS.
Why finish when it’s not your $$$$
katie_honan so the argument is it’s better for people who drop out to also be in debt?
Every student might not wish to attend college; but because standards have lowered, two extra years of schooling might not be a bad idea.
There are so many kids that get into college that drop out. More than half and can’t find a job because they don’t know how to do anything.
Give an ignorant person a million bucks and they'll end up right back in poverty. FREE just means no skin in the game and nothing to lose by the squandering opportunity. People who want FREE are just lazy, slovenly, sloth-like beings with no ambition & no pride of self- useless.
Not everyone is cutout for college. A licensed electrician makes more money than a history major from an Ivy League college
A person decides to go to college and get a degree in 'what ever'. They take out loans, they party about, neglect classes, maybe it's just too hard for them, maybe even fail out. Either way they can't find a job. You want tax payers to pay off their loan choice? Hell NO!
Many? Most? More than previously? Do more graduate now than previously?
That’s okay...they had a shot! Some finished who otherwise would never have had a chance...those are the ones to focus on...
Some great points in this article that arent discussed regularly
Now do the NM lottery program in New Mexico since its conception.🤷🏻♂️
Oh, well fuck 'em then.
Because tuition is only one piece of it. If you can't afford housing, or childcare, or elder care, or the many other things that pull time and resources away from study it's difficult to stay in school. It isn't about skin in the game as much as it is about life being complicated
Imagine that. If you don't put skin in the game you value things less.
Well there you go. Screw it then... No bias here, keep walking. Come on man...
Everything 'earned' by someone is respected and cherished
Maybe there should be a penalty if you don't complete free college.
Free represents little value.
College isn't right for everyone. There are plenty of great options that don't require a degree. Furthermore, some degrees are utterly useless.