West Point Research Paper

Is anything in life really free? If college is free, what is the point of trying to work hard and to try to go above beyond? “Free tuition colleges could make college seem less important” (Lobosco). It would make it seem less important because if a student fail one year the student will not have to pay for the next year or the year after that. The students could just keep failing. The reasons behind why college tuition should not be free is because of how taxes would be raised, how it would still not be completely free, and how scholarships can help make it free.

Two quick questions: How many of you in this class like free stuff? How many of you in this class wish college was free? That’s what thought almost all of you think that way, I thought that way myself until I realized that doesn’t make sense. Growing up my mother always told me the story of her graduation and I can’t quite remember the year she graduated, but she graduated from Troy State University in Montgomery, Alabama. She always told me about the feeling of receiving that diploma as for her being the first one of her family to have a college diploma. With tears in her eyes she told me “Brock I can’t wait for the day you have that feeling”. So when I think about college tuition becoming free two question pose in my head: 1. Could this be even possible for our government to pay off every 4 year institution? and 2. Why would any high school graduate find going to college appealing if it was free.

To attend the United States Naval Academy has been a dream of mine for a while, due to the prestige of attending such institution. the Academy offers many things that cannot be had at many universities, such as becoming an officer after graduation, summer programs aboard navy ships, and a structured schedule. To be able to attend an institution such as the Naval Academy is a goal of mine because of the opportunity it offers. The main reasons I want to attend the Naval Academy is because of the majors they offer, the experience of being a Midshipmen, and the opportunities after graduation.

One of the main reasons why college should not be free is because of the common conception of free things: free things are not good quality. Nothing that is given out for free is ever good quality, they are usually simple things such as a pen or sunglasses covered in a company's logo—never anything with great use. Many are afraid that if college becomes free the quality of the education will suffer tremendously. If colleges weren't being paid money by the students they will cut professors pay and other education boosting factors that will result in a lesser education. This point is further explained and supported by the website "idebate" stating that nothing is good or worthwhile if it is free, just

and possibly afford the next two, three or four years of school after. “ So if you can use the free

College tuition cannot be free because there is simply no such thing as a free college education. People think that free higher education would benefit the middle-class families and help the amount of student debt building up in the United States. The truth is that making a policy for taxpayer-funded tuition would hurt the majority of students and families. Allison Shrager made a comment in her article about free tuition, "While tuition is free, living expenses are not covered. Free tuition resulted in lower grants used

We are all college students and you would think that we would want free college more than anyone. However, I have done research from credible sources that shows me free college is not as great as it may sound on paper.

The United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York is viewed as one of the most honorable universities in the America. The Academy graduated its first student in 1802, and thousands there afterward, but it wasn't until 1976 before the first females would be allowed to enter. 1976 was a monumental achievement for women’s rights in that time, but this was something that was being fought for, for 200 years. After fighting for so long to gain this right, the inaugural class still had its work cut out for them.

West Point Academy is known for having one of the lowest acceptances rates in the country, at only 9% (Allen, Grove). When it comes to the SAT and ACT scores that are required, West Point only takes the top 10% of the scores (Allen, Grove). Not only do you have to have great grades, but you must be an avid volunteer in school and also out of school. Unlike most colleges in America, West Point pays for all of its students. Although it might be free, there are some commitments that have been put in place. The most

The problem is that free college isn’t free at all. It just transfers the financial burden from an individual student to the taxpayers.

Some take the word free too literally. College hasn’t been free since the start of the WWII G.I. Bill back in 1944. So I don’t expect it to be full on “free.” But I do expect it to be affordable for the working class student. Some say grants and student loans supposed to help you out. But grants can only give you so much. How are students to make up the difference, by getting a full time job (40 hours a week) and getting student loans? But loans that you’ll be paying back until you are 50 years old depending on what age you start college that is. But it doesn’t matter whatever age you start either, you are a new student or returning student. The price you will pay after you are done you will be in some type of

The cost of College education has shot up over the years. The average cost of a four year tuition goes from $20,000 to $43,000.(big future) Most think that after high school, college is the best option because that's what most parents and teachers teach their students. But for some, they dont have the money for college. For those who aren't sure about what to do after highschool, and are in a marginal financial statement, joining the military would be a great option.

Is free college education actually free? While the idea of a free college education sounds enticing, can the model actually work in the United States? Though attending university or college can, in most cases, set a person up for a successful future, not everyone can afford to continue their education past high school. Students contemplate not attending university due to the stress of college debt or inability to pay. This, in turn, causes some politicians to introduce the controversial topic of free education. With free education, college students could come out of university with little to no debt, making their lives after college much less stressful. Higher education should not leave students tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. This means getting the Department of Education involved so more students can attend college and the Department can achieve its mission of educational excellence.

One the biggest concerns with making college free for all students is the need to implement a student loan debt forgiveness program for those who are already in debt because of student loans. Those that believe that college education should not be free may argue that college students would not take education seriously. This creates a moral hazard for the student to decide whether it is degree hopping or whether it is going to far into debt for any single program (Lewontin, 2014). Students would have the ability to keep changing their career without worrying about their loans debt increasing or running out of financial aid. This could potentially decrease graduation rates significantly,

The main reason many people would join the military for is the coverage of college expenses. According to “College Costs: FAQ,” the average cost of college tuition over 4 years can range anywhere from $9.4k to $32.4k. Most college students, if working, work a minimum wage job due to lack of education for a higher paying job. In Oregon, the minimum wage is approximately $9.75 per hour. A student in Oregon would have to work a minimum of 3,857 hours over four years, without spending any of that money earned