In a world where blue-collar jobs are considered unappealing by many, an increasing amount of individuals have begun to choose to attend college in the hopes of achieving prestigious positions in the white-collar industry. Unfortunately, however, one’s decision to further their education at post-secondary school can have one rather drastic unforeseen consequence: thousands of dollars’ worth of debt. As a result of this growing “epidemic” plaguing college students around the nation, rallying cries for free higher education have begun to spring up throughout the country. But, for as many logical, thought-out arguments that exist in support of free college, there are just as many against it. In fact, as highlighted in Dissent Magazine’s …show more content…
Additionally, Cottom states, “An educational justice policy must include institutions of higher education but cannot only include institutions of higher education” (Cottom). Unfortunately, this adds even more burden to an already overwhelming financial undertaking. According to this logic, this notion of free education must expand beyond the boundaries of college and into the realm of trade schools as well, which only increases the cost that cannot easily be paid. Furthermore, Cottom also points out that, “…free college would likely benefit only an outlying group of students who are currently shut out of higher education because of cost” (Cottom). While I wholeheartedly believe that everyone who wants to learn should, regardless of their economic standing, looking at the situation from this point of view can cause one to question the validity of the whole endeavor. That is, what way does it make sense to undertake such a huge financial burden if free college won’t necessarily benefit everyone? Much like Cottom’s argument, Mike Konczal’s article titled, “Generation Debt,” also approaches the topic of free higher education from a rather positive stance. Konczal proclaims that education is a right that every human should have access to, and insists that the government be the ones responsible for providing the service. However, instead of insinuating that higher education be provided for free,
In the article “Free college? We can afford it”, author Katrina Vanden Heuvel believes that higher education should be free because the cost has risen and many students are no longer able to attend. Students cannot afford a college education. Low paying jobs are some of the reasons why people have a hard time finding a 2-4 year college degree institute. Why increase the amount of tuition for students? The author also mentioned that decreasing student funding restrains them from attendance. Katrina’s statements are agreeable because free education will expand opportunities for the youth.
He makes a strong effort, aimed at creating a sentiment towards government, colleges, and student loans that will solicit change to the system in use today. Whether or not his endeavor worked is still yet to be seen 4 years later, as students today still struggle with the same problem featured in the article: vast amounts of student loan debt. Proposals of “free community college” by former President Obama, and “debt free public college” by Secretary Clinton, but America voted against such ideas. The question lingers whether or not the current administration will take
“Even if it would help to get rid of the shackles of student debt, having free tuition colleges would deprive the students of things like learning how to balance their finances, which can lead to big problems in the future” (Suvannasankha). Having free tuition colleges could affect America in many ways, some good and some bad. One good thing that free college tuition would do for America is that it would bring a new skillful and better-educated workforce (Should College Be Free? Pros, Cons, and Alternatives). Even though having free college tuition would help America would having free college tuition be the best idea depending on the fact that nothing is really free, everything comes at a
The increasing cost of higher education in the United States has been a continuing topic for debate in recent decades. American society emphasizes the importance of education after high school, yet the cost of undergraduate and advanced degrees continually rises at a greater rate than inflation. According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, cost factors prevent 48% of college-qualified high school graduates from pursuing further education (McKeon, 2004, p. 45). The current system requires the majority of students to accumulate extensive debt with the expectation that they gain lucrative post-graduate employment to repay their loans.
In the recent debate regarding the implementation of free college tuition across the United States, Jon Wiener, a Los Angeles journalist for The Nation, and Kelly Field, chief Washington reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education who covers different federal education policies, discuss why college tuition should be abolished in the United States of America and the role of both Democratic and Republican parties on the debate. In the article, “It’s Time to End Tuition at Public Universities - and Abolish Student Debt,” published by the Nation in March 2015, Jon Wiener annotates the crippling debt that college
Instead, citizens should be paid to go to college because they are going there to better themselves as citizens of the United States. Making new experiences for each individual is important. No one will enjoy the experience if they have crushing debts to worry about. Education should be out there to inspire peoples mind and not just filling their head with others perspective. Every individual has the right to learn and be educated, and have the opportunity to view this world in a different perspective and do something on their own. But the cost of education is so unaffordable to some mankinds that it is just ferocious for them to even consider paying those education bills off” (“Should Higher Free Education Should Be Offered to All for Free?” 4). If students were not stressed out over the cost, they could then focus they’re stress on leaning and getting educated. A student should only have to worry about exceling him or herself to their best ability without worrying about the price they have to pay to get their education.
The choice of whether or not one should attend college has been a great topic of interest over the past few years with the increase of college tuition. This increase of college tuition questions whether attending college will pay off in the future since numerous amounts of students are left with an excessive amount of student loan debt. Stephanie Owen, a former research assistant at Brooking’s Center and current research associate at the Urban Institute, alongside Isabell Sawhill, co-director of the Center on Children and Families and a senior fellow in economic studies at Brookings, wrote Should Everyone Go to College? In an attempt to answer that question. In their report they breakdown the cost and benefits of going to college often relying on logos throughout the
As many young millennials rally behind Bernie Sanders and his outlandish claims of free public college for all, others sigh and shake their heads in disapproval. Are these college students really entitled to free higher education? Is it every American’s unalienable right to have a college education? Despite the recent push for free college in the United States, the economic burden and drop in personal responsibility it would create proves that colleges should maintain their current tuitions.
There is no escaping the fact that the cost of college tuition continues to rise in the United States each year. To make it worse, having a college degree is no longer an option, but a requirement in today’s society. According to data gathered by the College Board, total costs at public four-year institutions rose more rapidly between 2003-04 and 2013-14 than they did during either of the two preceding decades (Collegeboard.com). Students are pressured to continue into higher education but yet, the increasing costs of books and tuition make us think about twice. Sometimes, some of these students have to leave with their education partially finished, leaving them with crushing debts. It is important to find the means to prevent these
The rising cost of college tuition and student debt is a necessary evil. Many students will gladly undertake the burden of having debt in order to attain what they seek the most, a college degree. A college degree is a prestigious accomplishment; a testament to a student’s iron will. It stands as a symbolic achievement, carrying the hopes and dreams of the families who didn’t have the opportunity to continue their education. Even if the United States manages to implement free college tuition and eliminate student debt, the value of a degree shouldn’t be undervalued.
“One of the greatest obstacles to escaping poverty is the staggering cost of higher education” (Hollen). Higher education in the United States has been a topic under high magnification during this past election cycle. The Democrats and the Republicans argue about who will pay for free public tuition. Our nation is disenfranchising the middle and lower classes in this country and a resolution seems further than ever away now that Trump is president, however, educator Sajay Samuel provides a different approach to reforming the astronomical costs of higher education. The TED talk in which Sajay Samuel brings forth his ideas for addressing the student debt crisis, is labeled “How College Loans Exploit Students for Profit” ("Sajay Samuel"). Sajay Samuel believes if tuition was based on the income that the student’s family makes, studying what someone loves would be easier to achieve. Sajay Samuel’s aspirations for restructuring a broken higher education system is not only revolutionary in ideology, but plausible as well.
Free college is a commonly accepted idea, as a crucial part of society's advancement. Education is the foundation for building a strong country, as knowledge is what allows for productivity in all areas of life. However, the cost and accessibility to standard higher education limits many people's availability to a quality schooling. Some may argue that public colleges should continue to charge tuition, as the federal government can not afford the cost nor will creating higher taxes to enable the program solve the crisis. However, ultimately, higher education should be free as it would stimulate economic growth, remove the primary deterrent for not attending college and decrease dependence on government aid.
The words “free college tuition” spark interest in any college student with accumulating debt. In fact, this topic is so incredibly supported that Bernie Sanders implemented it as a core interest in his 2016 campaign. Once Hillary Clinton became the Democratic nominee, she decided to take it on herself with an extensive plan that guaranteed students free tuition. Unsurprisingly, free tuition resonates extremely well within the student demographic. To forty million Americans, free tuition eliminates the largest problem for students: debt (Hess, 2017). However, free college tuition generates the inverse of what these low-income and middle-income students believe. In fact, free college cripples them from multiple perspectives; students will end up spending more financially, will be less likely to graduate with a degree, and will be subjected to more inequality and less exposure.
Kraft and Furlong (2013) suggest that “one of the major arguments for supporting education generally is the belief that it is the great equalizer within U.S. society” (p. 369). There are constantly two sides of a contention. Here in the United States, individuals trust that education is the one of the best way to keep up developing nations. It’s a known idea that advanced education measures up to higher compensations and more open doors. In any case, the issue is that the normal cost of advanced education is more than an individual can bear the cost of for a long time at a state college. Along these lines, many believe that the government should offset the cost of college (Sakamoto and Chapman, 2011). While there are others that trust that the legislature shouldn't pay for school. Ziguras and McBurnie (2015) uncover that college educations are discretionary and it takes a family and a group to make the correct circumstance for students to go to college through various scholarship opportunities and student loans. The authors additionally propose that unfortunate, students through a byproduct of human nature, the individuals who get a free ride are likewise less inclined to esteem the education as opposed to working for it. Regardless of the arguments, Kraft and Furlong (2013), express that “although higher education costs and funding provoke considerable debate, the value of a college
Throughout the past decade, the rising cost of higher education in the United States has gained recognition as a critical issue demanding bipartisan attention. Dramatic increases in student loan debt and fees are placing a financial strain on many families, prompting some politicians to argue for free tuition for all. While the concept of free college is appealing, in reality this idea is an oversimplified solution to a complex problem. Free tuition policies such as New York State’s Excelsior Scholarship benefit some middle-class families, but they neglect other expenses that prevent poor students from attending college. Furthermore, such programs would encourage students who are neither prepared nor suited for college to attend, further increasing dropout rates in community colleges. Educational inequality and student loan debt are issues that require a multifaceted approach, including addressing resource disparities in public schools and providing options for nontraditional students.