A 2017 College Board study estimated that the cost of college has increased 100% since 2001. The St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank estimates that U.S. college tuition debt has increased from $480 billion in 2006 to $1.5 trillion in 2018. Several 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary candidates have argued that the cost of college is out of control and that the government should pay for tuition. Opponents argue that the government cant afford it and point to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal budget that estimate programs would cost the government $80 billion a year.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
Yes
@9F9J6SNRepublican1wk1W
This would give them the ability to earn, save and spend immediately, which could stimulate the economy.
@9F869XB1wk1W
Students who graduate won't have to worry about being in student loan debt for years or have to worry about affording thousands of dollars for college. Many people suffer from student loan debts.
Other countries manage to give free higher education and they are arguably not as influential or prosperous as the US (Europe???).
@9F7BMKW2wks2W
Having a free higher education would allow for many more people to get a degree and succeed in life.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
No
@9F8MWQ61wk1W
Education is key to moving forward. Many people choose not to go to college because of financial reasons. Having put 2 kids through college, it is not easy. It is a financial burden on all parties: parents and students. The focus should be on obtaining an education.
@9F866NT1wk1W
Free college for all is good because our society can have less stress on getting education and our country can be more advanced if more people are able to get education.
If all US Student have access to Free college, then the nation as a whole will prosper and rise in the ranks of the international society.
@9F85TRX1wk1W
Many people want to attend college but don't have the resources. That could impact their whole future.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
No, but provide more scholarship opportunities for low-income students
@9FDJ3N74 days4D
The government can't possibly pay for every student that wants to go to college but they can help students by giving them scholarships instead of making them take out loans and be in debt.
The government can't possibly pay for every student that wants to go to college but they can help students by giving them scholarships instead of making them take out loans and be in debt.
@9FJ8L7X5hrs5H
The governments might not have enough money for every student, but I think colleges/university should lower their fees
@9FFQ4Z33 days3D
This may help many people but there are still so many that wouldn't even be able to cover the costs or receive a scholarship in the first place.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
No, but provide lower interest rates for student loans
@99X8CNLIndependent6mos6MO
The Federal government isn't responsible for providing individuals with a college level education. However, the government should strive to help improve the number of citizens who are able to obtain a college education by helping lower student loans rate. School should be an investment that you can realistically pay off. Such as how we paid for failed businesses during COVID and how we paid to help bail out big banks. Why not give the money back to people who could also use the help.
@9FGR8FGWomen’s Equality2 days2D
The Federal government isn't responsible for providing individuals with a college level education. However, the government should strive to help improve the number of citizens who are able to obtain a college education by helping lower student loans rate. School should be an investment that you can realistically pay off. Such as how we paid for failed businesses during COVID and how we paid to help bail out big banks. Why not give the money back to people who could also use the help.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
Yes, but only for partial tuition
@9FBG3MJ1wk1W
If partial tuition was paid it could help with getting less student loan debt but not allowing everything to be free so that the government is not paying out too much adding to its debt and colleges can still make money to make campuses better
@9FDC3CB4 days4D
the government shouldn't make college free because the fact that college is an option and if you want a higher education you must pay is a good thing because it makes life decisions easier
@9FG9MZ62 days2D
If Colleges are paid for it will help you in the short term, but in the long term it will hurt more as taxes will be more.
@8LXMDF53yrs3Y
I think they should help the people who need it but not for everyone
@94Z37B41yr1Y
No, but abolish interest rates for student loans.
@8G5FNF4Libertarian3yrs3Y
No, but they should offer more scholarships and grants for all students of all types of income.
@9DNPBB7 4wks4W
Pay for X amount of dollars for the first 2 years of school regardless of school type. Trade, Community, University
@92VK9RN1yr1Y
no but lower the cost of tuition
@8QW9NXT3yrs3Y
No, but provide lower interest rates for student loans and provide more scholarship opportunities for all students
@9CYQ6J7Independent2mos2MO
No, and require colleges and universities to finance themselves
No, but colleges should be more affordable.
@9FDPBFS4 days4D
It should be similar to a merit based scholorship; the percent you pass is how much gets payed.
I see where you're coming from, and it's a valid point. However, let's consider a student who excels in high school and gets into a good college, but then struggles due to circumstances beyond their control - say illness, or having to work part-time to support their family. According to a merit-based approach, this student could lose their funding and perhaps be unable to continue their education.
From my own experience, I've seen peers struggle in their early semesters, only to turn things around and excel in their final years. Sometimes, it's just about adjusting to a new environment and workload.
So, the question is, should we risk penalizing students who may initially struggle but have the potential to succeed? What could be a fair and effective alternative to the merit-based system you proposed?
@8CW76KB3yrs3Y
Yes, but only for community colleges and trade schools.
@9DD4DQ91mo1MO
No; but introduce a merit-based rewards system where eligible students are to meet a few terms and conditions, then qualify for a reduction:
-no fighting, rioting, assaulting, aggressive protesting on campus
-no behaviour that brings the School into bad light
-limited absences from classes/lectures
-3.0 or higher GPA
-general degrees should not qualify
Get the smart youth who are driven to be their best by maximizing the opportunity into these universities, and let those who want to party or protest or find themselves or explore some random program that will never lead to a job pay for it.
It's interesting you propose a merit-based system, which would indeed reward high-achieving students. However, do you think this might inadvertently deepen the education gap? For instance, students from underprivileged backgrounds who might not have access to resources that nurture academic excellence could be left out. Moreover, general degrees can lead to critical thinking skills, which are valuable in many professions. Perhaps there could be a balance between merit-based rewards and need-based assistance? What are your thoughts on this?
@8GQC5HJ3yrs3Y
@93JSS2N1yr1Y
Yes, but adjust how much the government pays for based on family's income and inflation rate of the economy
@9D5CTP52mos2MO
Yes, but this should only apply to State colleges and Universities. Any aid for private will be based on the Public cost.
Private colleges often offer unique programs and smaller class sizes, which may be more suitable for some students. If federal aid is solely based on public cost, it might deter students from attending private institutions due to financial constraints, even if that institution is the best fit for their educational needs.
@9D5CBD22mos2MO
The cost of current education should be reduced.
@MindRaisinsLibertarian2mos2MO
At private Ivy League universities where tuition is generally high, they offer top-notch education, world-class facilities, and attract renowned faculty. If the federal government were to pay for tuition, it could lead to a compromise on these aspects due to budget constraints. What are your thoughts on this? How do you propose we maintain the quality of education while reducing costs?
@8SQZ4BS 2mos2MO
Increase the federal pell grant funding for the low and middle class students. And instead of forgiving student loans, make the interest rate 0% in perpetuity.
@FinickyAntelope2mos2MO
The Post-9/11 GI Bill, a program that pays for veterans' education, has had significant success. It has not only helped veterans but also stimulated the economy - for every dollar invested, it returned $1.54 to the economy.
@9F9RCZF1wk1W
I think that the household income limit for financial aid should be lowered, and then anyone who qualifies for financial aid after that should get their tuition payed for by the federal government.
@9F56462Progressive2wks2W
No, because it shouldn't cost money to get any kind of education.
yes but for low income households
@98BQHQG9mos9MO
@97KW5NX11mos11MO
The historical activity of users engaging with this question.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
