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1) It will probably give people who actually can't afford community college the ability to do so. Yes, it's "incredibly cheap in most places", but a penny is st

1) It will probably give people who actually can't afford community college the ability to do so. Yes, it's "incredibly cheap in most places", but a penny is still costlier than free. 2) It means people can spend what savings they make from attending community college on tuition, room, and board at a -year, if they go that route. If this program works for longer-term students, that means borrowing less overall. That reads like progress to me. It certainly doesn't solve the issue, but it does help. Edited to add: I found this article while Googling around for other stuff: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/uc/2014/04/starting_from_the_bottom_why_mexicans_are_the_most_successful_immigrants.html http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/uc/2014/04/s... It's not entirely relevant, but it's certainly an interesting counterpoint to your thoughts.

aaron-lebo 12y ago
1) Grants already exist for those who cannot afford college. 2) The savings you get at a community college are going to get spent in a couple semesters at a regular uni. This goes back, though, to actually dealing with the root problems. Yes, it reduces their borrowing burden, but it should not be necessary. Thank you for the article.
- dragonwriter 12y ago
  > 1) Grants already exist for those who cannot afford college. The big difference with this proposal is that while it has generally similar kinds of requirements for students as existing grant programs, it has more stringent requirements for the schools and particular degree programs covered. From the fact sheet [0]: "Community colleges will be expected to offer programs that either (1) are academic programs that fully transfer to local public four-year colleges and universities, giving students a chance to earn half of the credit they need for a four-year degree, or (2) are occupational training programs with high graduation rates and that lead to degrees and certificates that are in demand among employers. Other types of programs will not be eligible for free tuition. Colleges must also adopt promising and evidence-based institutional reforms to improve student outcomes, such as the effective Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) programs at the City University of New York which waive tuition, help students pay for books and transit costs, and provide academic advising and supportive scheduling programs to better meet the needs of participating students, resulting in greater gains in college persistence and degree completion." [0] http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/09/fact-sheet-white-house-unveils-america-s-college-promise-proposal-tuitio http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/09/fact-s...
- saraid216 12y ago
  > 1) Grants already exist for those who cannot afford college. If grants were sufficient, would loans exist? > Yes, it reduces their borrowing burden, but it should not be necessary. So, in the name of SHOULD, you'd deny people a college education now in order to... ...wait, what are you doing to "deal with the root problems"?

aaron-lebo 12y ago

1) Grants already exist for those who cannot afford college. 2) The savings you get at a community college are going to get spent in a couple semesters at a regular uni. This goes back, though, to actually dealing with the root problems. Yes, it reduces their borrowing burden, but it should not be necessary. Thank you for the article.

dragonwriter 12y ago
> 1) Grants already exist for those who cannot afford college. The big difference with this proposal is that while it has generally similar kinds of requirements for students as existing grant programs, it has more stringent requirements for the schools and particular degree programs covered. From the fact sheet [0]: "Community colleges will be expected to offer programs that either (1) are academic programs that fully transfer to local public four-year colleges and universities, giving students a chance to earn half of the credit they need for a four-year degree, or (2) are occupational training programs with high graduation rates and that lead to degrees and certificates that are in demand among employers. Other types of programs will not be eligible for free tuition. Colleges must also adopt promising and evidence-based institutional reforms to improve student outcomes, such as the effective Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) programs at the City University of New York which waive tuition, help students pay for books and transit costs, and provide academic advising and supportive scheduling programs to better meet the needs of participating students, resulting in greater gains in college persistence and degree completion." [0] http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/09/fact-sheet-white-house-unveils-america-s-college-promise-proposal-tuitio http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/09/fact-s...
saraid216 12y ago
> 1) Grants already exist for those who cannot afford college. If grants were sufficient, would loans exist? > Yes, it reduces their borrowing burden, but it should not be necessary. So, in the name of SHOULD, you'd deny people a college education now in order to... ...wait, what are you doing to "deal with the root problems"?