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The Pros And Cons Of Free College

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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. Free tuition is problematic in that it may cause students who are not necessarily suited for college to feel obligated to enroll. If college becomes the new “bare minimum” level of education, young people may feel compelled to attend, even if it is not the correct choice for their personal and professional goals. This could cause dropout rates to increase, leaving students in a worse position than if they had entered the workforce directly after high

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