On Jan. 8, 2015, President Obama proposed in his State of the Union Address to make the first two years of community college free for certain students. The proposed plan allows for students who keep a minimum of a 2.5 GPA to earn the first half of a bachelor’s degree at no cost to them.
This proposal has the potential to benefit around 9 million students each year and save a full-time student an average of $3,800 in tuition every year. The funds for the students’ tuition will come from the federal government and the participating states. The federal government will supply around three-quarters of the tuition, and the participating states are expected to cover the rest.
For many students, this proposal could prove beneficial as it removes the stress of financial struggles.
Financial Aid Assistant at the College of San Mateo Estela Garcia says, “Of course it’s going to be very helpful for our students. It’s going to be better and more motivating for them to get the GPA to pass the classes. They will be part-time students and still be able to keep whatever jobs they have to support their families financially.”
Aragon alumn and current CSM student Shorwei Gong says, “I think it’s an amazing idea. Easing the financial burden of pursuing a higher education would allow more people to achieve their career goals in this increasingly competitive workforce.”
This program specifically targets students willing to work hard to achieve a degree. Aragon alumn and current CSM student Brandon Dere agrees, “It allows those that want to strive, to strive without the restrictions that tuition would usually cause. It’s definitely a smart move to have this GPA requirement since it goes to those that really want to try and further their education.”
Additionally, the general reputation of community colleges may improve. Dere says, “In a way, this proposal kind of relieves this stigma that the general public has had in the past that community college is a place where not so bright people go, which is completely not the case.”
The accessibility to community college may call for changes to programs and funding.
Garcia says, “Do we need to open new programs? What are the programs we might have to offer? How many students are going to sign up? Lots of changes will be happening as we predict the enrollment rate will go up, but we don’t know at this point so we have to wait and see what’s going to happen.”
The White House says that the proposal should cost approximately $60 billion over ten years. Given the high cost, the Republican controlled Congress is unlikely to approve it.
As opposed to a four-year university, community college offers more time for students to figure out their interests. College and Career Advisor Laurie Tezak says, “For our students, community college is such a wonderful path to take. It’s the years where you’re young and you’re still exploring, and I think that two free years will make college even more accessible to them.”
This proposal calls for an accessible education, so more students may enroll in college. Tezak says, “Senior year, worrying about going to college and doing your applications, and to have to worry about ‘how am I going to pay for this?’ That’s a huge worry on kids’ minds. So I think not having to think about that will make less stress for them.”
In the long run, if this proposal is implemented, more students will be able to get an education without going into debt.
Tezak adds, “Community college definitely prepares you for the workforce, and some students don’t go to college because they figure they have to go to work and can’t pay for it. This way, that group of kids will keep their grades up and have their education for free and hit the road and go right out to do their education.”
Dere concludes, “In the long run, I can see less students going to a four-year university right off the bat, and I see a lot more determined students, no matter the age, trying their best to get their education.”
