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.
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@ISIDEWITH6yrs6Y
Yes
@9GXB6PM 1yr1Y
I don't think college should be free to all because I feel like college should be something that people have to earn, people should earn the right to be able to go to college and work hard for it. If college was free to all than people could just coast by in school, and not even try.
@9GXFYB3Independent1yr1Y
i dont think college should be free for everyone, however i do believe that more scholarships should be available to lower income households or maybe even first generation college attendees
@9GZZSZ2Republican1yr1Y
College should be free to all, because not everyone who "earns" their way into college has the appropriate funding to let them carry out their college career. It is one person's own choice to not try in school, but those who earn their place in college, obviously will not decide to do that.
@9GXG3WHRepublican1yr1Y
College should never be free because college is a choice and it's known that college is very expensive. Students need to pre-plan and budget for college. They can also use their education to work towards scholarships to help pay the prices.
@9GXK7GT1yr1Y
I believe that the prices of community college are reasonable enough for anyone to find an odd job or savings in order to attend. There should be federal aid for people in situations where this is not affordable though such as being a teen parent or under a certain living wage based on income/hours worked yearly. Private universities should NOT be free as this would propel our country into more debt…
@9FZMX3CIndependent 2yrs2Y
Studies have shown that countries with free or heavily subsidized higher education have higher college enrollment rates and lower student loan debt. It can help alleviate the burden of student loan debt, which has reached record levels. By making college more accessible and affordable, we can empower more individuals to pursue higher education, increase their earning potential, and contribute to the economy. It's an investment in the future of our society and the success of people in my generation and the more to come!
@9GLQJYY 2yrs2Y
It will encourage more people to go to college since there are some people that their family don´t have enough money for college.
@9GLTDGY2yrs2Y
I'd be happy to provide my thoughts on the idea of "Free College for All," but I need to see the comment you're referring to in order to respond to it specifically. Please provide the comment, and I can offer my perspective on it.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
You can literally view all the comments in the thread by clicking on them...
First of all "free college" is not a thing. Really it's "college paid for by taxpayers". Where would teachers get their salaries from if colleges was truly free? It's either the student's family who pays for it or the taxpayers. Now tell me, should hard working tax payers be paying for a college that they don't even care about, or should it be the student's parent's reponsibility to budget for their child's college? Of course it should be the parent's responsibility to ensure their child's future! The K-12 education system is good enough, any more is the parent's responsibility to ensure for their child.
@9GLS77B2yrs2Y
I agree that college should be free for all. People come to America to have a better chance of getting an education and a job. Not many people can afford college because most only get paid minimum wage.
@9GGZPL7 2yrs2Y
Other Countries have free higher education. People are losing interest in college because of the amount of debt you are guaranteed to have once you complete your degree, or if you attempt college and drop out, you will still have debt. Even with scholarships and things like the Oregon Promise, you still will have to take out loans and pay a lot of money out of pocket even with finical aid.
I think that college/university should be free for all especially in America. Countries with less money overall are able to provide their citizens with free colleges so our country should do the same. The government wants us to get higher paying jobs with higher level skills; however this can't be done with the amount that colleges are asking for.
@ISIDEWITH6yrs6Y
No
@9FFPFR72yrs2Y
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.
@9FFRCGMLibertarian2yrs2Y
If the government decides to pay for college, colleges will raise their prices by however much the government is providing.
@9FRRB5G2yrs2Y
Currently, due to the price of college, many can not afford it and therefore choose to not take that route when we need people to do certain jobs requiring a college education.
Someone's gotta pay for the college. It's either the student's family or taxpayers. The only way to reduce the price is to cut teacher and professor wages. A free college would put a heavy burden on taxpayers, either way it's gonna cost people. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure their child can go to college, taxes need to be significantly reduced for the rich people to reform to a flat tax.
@9FGGQPK2yrs2Y
The huge amount of student debt causes many families to not be able to pay for necessities later when they cant pay the loans
@9FV777T2yrs2Y
free college for all is good for society because society can have less stress on getting the funds for college.
@ISIDEWITH6yrs6Y
No, but provide more scholarship opportunities for low-income students
@9GXB6PM 1yr1Y
Providing more scholarship opportunities for the low income less fortunate students is an amazing step for the future, Low-income students naturally work harder because they don't really have the things required to excell in life.
@9GXFD7Y1yr1Y
I agree because it will provide equal opportunity to low-income students so they don't have to work as hard and they can still excel in life being low-income
@9GXFPDX1yr1Y
yes because not everybody has money to go to college and get a education so yes we should go to college for free or have a public college.
@9GXF8NN1yr1Y
I absolutely agree with this. They do not have the same chances at life because of their upbringing, and that is not fair. "Life is not fair" does not apply when it is something that can be fixed.
@9FZMX3CIndependent 2yrs2Y
Providing more scholarship opportunities for low-income students is a step in the right direction, but it may not fully address the issue of accessibility and affordability for all students. Free College for All would ensure equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their financial background. It would create a more level playing field and help break down barriers to higher education.
@9FZNFH32yrs2Y
The kids of today are meant to be tomorrow's leaders. How are they supposed to do that if they can't afford college? There is all this potential for them and all they need is the opportunity to be able to try.
Yes, I agree with this statement because if someone is dedicated to getting good grades and focusing in school than I believe their college tuition should be for free.
@9FTJW64 2yrs2Y
Expanding access to higher education through free college for all can bridge the socioeconomic gap and promote equality. Studies indicate that countries with tuition-free or heavily subsidized higher education, like many in Europe, have higher rates of college graduates, leading to a more skilled workforce and economic growth. By eliminating tuition fees, students from low-income backgrounds can pursue higher education without the burden of debt, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society. Additionally, investing in education at this level can lead to a more informed citizenry, fostering innovation and progress. Providing scholarship opportunities, while valuable, might not be enough to address the systemic inequalities that free college for all aims to rectify, making it a more comprehensive solution.
@9FTP5BPIndependent2yrs2Y
I agree with this comment about free college for all. Students should have the right to pursue a higher education regardless of their background and income records. If we gave free education for those students we would be highly advanced in today's technology with people's potential. Become more educated and be civilized which can reduce violence and unacceptable behaviors in public.
@9FTNY46Republican2yrs2Y
College affordability is at its lowest point in history, but the need for a college degree only increases. The weight of a degree, even an associate's degree, determines a job even at entry level. Low-income families know there aren't many options when choosing a college because they know the need to go to a cheaper one and take out the dreaded student loans is the only option left. Free college gives everyone the chance at higher education and allows for our people to flourish with knowledge, to bring up the average for those who take the chance to learn because they have the choice but also for those who don't.
@9G2JJ64 2yrs2Y
Many students who get into colleges get into huge debt because of how much money they had to borrow from the government. Scholarships may give funding, but only if the student wins. Doing scholarships takes time, and people who don't have as much time to do it don't get equal funding. When students get into debt, they take most of their lives paying it. It's like the federal government made sure to lure the young students into a trap where they will have to be paying off a huge debt for the rest of their lives. The federal government has to make sure that all students have equal chances of graduating from a college.
@9G3JD3ZWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
yes because higher education is more expensive than it needs to be and so many citizens are still swimming in their college debts because they can't pay them all off so either reduce tuition by thousands or make it free.
@9G3J7GP2yrs2Y
yes I agree with the author the government should give people the right for higher education and chance at it
@ISIDEWITH6yrs6Y
No, but provide lower interest rates for student loans
@9FT8J9V2yrs2Y
while lower interest rates do help, in the end it would overall be more beneficial for the government to pay for all of college because many students still cant afford college even with lower interest rates.
@9FM5XPB2yrs2Y
Students don't want student loans or college debts because then they would have to pay it off later and that could rack up to a lot of money and they probably wouldn't be able to pay it off. They would have to worry about that on top of whatever else they have to do. Having Free College would put less stress on the person and they wouldn't have to worry about debt or paying back student loans.
@B25T8HT5mos5MO
“Students don't want student loans or college debts because then they would have to pay it off later and that could rack up to a lot of money and they probably wouldn't be able to pay it off.”
I agree because student loans can be a huge financial burden that takes years to pay off. Free college would reduce stress and let students focus on their education and future careers without worrying about debt. It would make higher education more accessible for everyone
@9FGR8FGWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
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.
@9FSJK372yrs2Y
By the time kids get out of college they are not gonna want to pay off all of the loans and debts that they have carried from college
@ISIDEWITH6yrs6Y
Yes, but only for partial tuition
@9GLFMSY 2yrs2Y
Top Agreement
Many students do not come from a wealthy or even stable family. These students also have limited resources and are not able to find scholarships. Students who have experienced more hardships than average kids should most definitely have free college opportunities. Other students should also have the opportunities for a more affordable college.
@9GLHW9RRepublican2yrs2Y
there are many options to have free collage through the work of the student. there are many scholar ships giving chances to people of this nature. if a student is willing to work hard enough to go to collage they can do it for free already.
@9GLHVCYRepublican2yrs2Y
Students who come from a poorer family have financial aid, scholarships are available for students the ACT is given to students for free. You have to work for what you get. It is the students job to pay for college no matter where you come from.
@9GLMJGJ2yrs2Y
I agree that many students do not come from a wealthy or even stable family. Students should have the opportunities for a more affordable college.
@9GLJ8BF2yrs2Y
Everyone has the right to an education and it should be affordably available to all in order to jump start a career.
@9FT8J9V2yrs2Y
partial tuition allows for many people to receive help paying for college without taking to much funds out of the government that is either payed by taxes or used on other important events.
@9H56RQP1yr1Y
Most would agree that college isn't for everyone. While I believe college should be offered for free to all for the first four semesters (two years), those who take advantage of the free ride or slack off should be held to strict penalties / academic probation while offered educational assistance & tutoring. If they continue to meet the minimum standard or fail most or all of their classes, then they will be barred from further educational aid after two consecutive semesters of failure.
@9FL6LP3Women’s Equality2yrs2Y
I do not believe in free college for all. While education should be made more accessible, with free college, the meaning behind college degrees and advancement in careers is almost meaningless.
@8LXMDF55yrs5Y
I think they should help the people who need it but not for everyone
@94Z37B43yrs3Y
No, but abolish interest rates for student loans.
@8G5FNF4Libertarian5yrs5Y
No, but they should offer more scholarships and grants for all students of all types of income.
@9DVX7BM2yrs2Y
Yes but only for students entering college with a high likelihood of graduating. Admission process should be competitive.
@WittyRedWhiteBlue2yrs2Y
I agree with your point. For instance, a model similar to the one employed in many Scandinavian countries could be effective. They offer free higher education, but the admission process is highly competitive, ensuring only the most dedicated and capable students can attend. This model maintains a high standard of education and ensures that government resources are effectively utilized. However, this would require a significant shift in our current education system. Do you think such a drastic change could be implemented successfully in the US?
@9DRRZJZ2yrs2Y
Well I sure hate to burst your bubble, but human nature being what it is, government WILL have a vested interest in what is taught at universities and schools that it funds, and it will seek to indoctrinate and not to educate the citizens. Government does not collect taxes to provide services it provides services as an excuse to collect taxes, which is an excuse to grow its power over your life and this is an example. Plus last I checked the Constitution doesn't give the government any authority to bribe college students into blind obedience, servitude, and slavery using a check made of fake fiat money as a little birthday present from their Uncle Brandon.
@9D5CTP52yrs2Y
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.
@9FDPBFS2yrs2Y
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?
@9D5CBD22yrs2Y
The cost of current education should be reduced.
@MindRaisinsLibertarian2yrs2Y
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 2yrs2Y
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.
@FinickyAntelope2yrs2Y
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.
@8KWVHJ8Women’s Equality5yrs5Y
Yes, but provide lower interest rates for student loans.
@9SBR6FL9mos9MO
No, states like Tennessee are giving free college to those who graduate within the state by using the lottery and not be able to deviate the funds.
@B4C4KVQ1mo1MO
Students attend school tuition-free, and repay a percentage of their income after graduation, contingent on securing a job with a good salary.
@9DPC86L2yrs2Y
No, but they should lower the cost of college
@9F56462Progressive2yrs2Y
No, because it shouldn't cost money to get any kind of education.
@8JCYF7F5yrs5Y
provide more scholarship opportunities for low income students, and provide lower interest rates for student loans overall.
@9DNPBB7 2yrs2Y
Pay for X amount of dollars for the first 2 years of school regardless of school type. Trade, Community, University
@9GPLPTK2yrs2Y
yes but only for degrees that are useful and needed such as engineering and medical. Not like english or humanities.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
This persistent glorification of STEM fields, along with the suppression and rejection of the humanities, is creating deep societal problems. The promotion of STEM without the humanities just produces intellectual monsters, in which we end up with powerful industries run by people who could engineer weapons of mass destruction yet couldn't explain to someone how the holocaust happened. Our society's cultural and economic disincentivization of the humanities is actively creating this dangerous world where even incredibly "intelligent" people are completely ignorant to the world around them and the atrocities and injustices taking place.
@9GNGKQN2yrs2Y
Private colleges and institutions have their own right to charge tuition, however there should be more federally aided colleges that provide free education to anyone.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Private colleges and institutions should not exist.
@93NNQV53yrs3Y
Yes, but at public institutions only.
@8DB5PWQ5yrs5Y
Yes, but only for state schools and community colleges
@9F48VQDLibertarian2yrs2Y
Hell no. The 4 yr universities are woke enough at current govt involvement
@9CM44YH2yrs2Y
No, but provide lower interest rates for student loans and but provide more scholarship opportunities for low-income students.
@8XG7SPW3yrs3Y
Only for important degrees.
@8PFTC954yrs4Y
Yes, but only for in state public colleges and universities
@8H4DF7B5yrs5Y
No but provide more scholarship opportunities and lower interest rates for low income students.
@B4RTXBZ3wks3W
Education should be free - See military spending question Higher education can include some paid things (very niche special courses)
@B3L4GG52mos2MO
Whether the federal government should pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities is a complex issue with many different arguments.
@B2X8B9J3mos3MO
Provide more scholarships and lower interest rates for student loans and overall give financial aid to students.
@9ZFM5TXIndependent6mos6MO
Create public colleges for people not willing to join the military, but provide them with a contract system so they must work a government job once they are out of college
@9WDTKJ87mos7MO
College finances and college success should be monitored to, and the impact of how much that costs, why and where those costs exist, and what funds go into that. If the taxes and dollars already attributing to serving these school systems exist, then from state to state - there should be ways that this helps those who live there.
@9TYZLLFRepublican8mos8MO
if they graduate the college or universities then yes the government should pay but if they don't then they have to pay it them self.
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.
@9SQDPQ4Republican8mos8MO
Yes, but only for students that are in need of it like students from low-income familes or the people that just can't afford the cost for tuition.
@9S2PDWW9mos9MO
The federal government should Provide to lower income students tuition To four-year universities and colleges, but it must be done in a limited capacity. The issue with college debt, is that Those who are indebted, have to pay it back. This can hamper a college graduates ability to start a life after college. Especially with difficulty finding employment degree. The federal government should be more strict when providing college tuition, but it should provide college tuition so higher education can be affordable to all, but it should also empower public universities and community colleges as a alternative.
@9JXCM581yr1Y
We should have more public institutions that are free or extremely low cost that give everyone a chance to go for the degree they want.
@9JQRSXK1yr1Y
no, but they should provide more scholarships opportunities for low-income students and they should provide lover interest rates for student loans.
@9J3MJK41yr1Y
No, but public four-year colleges and universities should be free for residents and funded like K-12 public schools.
@9HZH4WD1yr1Y
The federal government should pay for four-year colleges and universities when they are working hard, doing well, and most likely to pass a class in a year.
@9HF6G9F1yr1Y
I feel like how much the Americans pay for taxes most of it should go back to the students Collage/universities . Such as the Untied Arab Emirates they pay their own citizens Collage/universities tuition even if they go to study abroad.
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