Guest Post: America's College Promise

From: Tom Jaworski, Education Consultant.

President Obama recently proposed two years of free community college education to all. This blog post will delve further into his promise. 

America's College Promise

 America's College Promise proposes free tuition for the first two years of community college. Students would be eligible to receive up to $3800 a year for tuition and fees by earning a minimum C+ average in high school, attend school at least half-time and make steady progress towards their degree.

At the State of the Union, President Obama stated that "world-class education starts with

children, but that adults need training, too.... we also have to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to constantly train themselves for better jobs, better wages, better benefits."

Pros

President Obama wants to "make community college as universal as high school" This plan estimates to help over 9 million students receive two years of free college education at one of  1100 community colleges in the United States.

America's College Promise would boost college enrollment, especially among lower income students. In addition, with only one-third of all community college students obtaining a two year degree, this proposal incentivizes students to remain in college for at least two years.

This plan also addresses the student debt crisis by potentially eliminating the need for students loans for the first half of their college education. In addition, this proposal ensures community colleges offer credits that fully transfer to local public four-year universities. This in itself can help ease the student debt crisis to guarantee students take courses that will help them graduate within four years.

Cons

The most obvious argument for dissenters of this proposal is the estimated cost of nearly $70 billion. The federal government would cover 75% of the costs, though not as a direct payment to students, but to states who agree to 'evidence-based institutional reform.' Each participating state would meet the remaining tuition costs. 

Some critics argue this plan will benefit higher income families rather than the intended lower income student. For the neediest students, Pell grants (up to $5000 a year based upon income) already assist with tuition, transportation, and other costs of attendance. Thus, families who might already afford community college will now receive government assistance.

Another argument against this plan is that while this boosts college enrollment, it does not offer assistance to students while attending college. The idea behind the plan is help put the students on track to graduate in 4 years, but  is no guarantee the graduation rate will decrease from the average 5.4 years.

What's Next?

By proposing this idea of free community college, President Obama is reminding us of his campaign promise, "by 2020...the U.S. should be the best-educated country in the world" and create "a better-educated workforce...which is key to the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy."

Will America's College Promise pass in Congress? An argument can easily be made for either side. Continue to follow my blog and FaceBook page for more information on this proposal.

Thomas J. Jaworski is an educational consultant and founder of Quest College Consulting.