A couple of months ago, Joe Biden proposed an ambitious plan to make community college free of charge, giving millions of students a chance at a higher education. The plan caters to the needs of many but mainly targets people in the lower to middle class as well as minorities of America. It would benefit millions of students and allow many to earn college degrees and maintain full-time jobs. The proposal is a heavily debated subject that will influence the lives of many in America.
Implementing the 1.8 trillion dollar proposition would require the government and participating states to support students and fund free two-year tuition. In addition, the plan would also include 85 billion dollars of federal pell grants for students of low-income backgrounds, 39 billion dollars for subsidizing minority-serving institutions and 62 billion dollars to finance college retention programs.
These programs would include emergency grants and daycare for college students with children and would be funded primarily by heightened taxes on the upper class of America. Those who are a part of the wealthiest 1% of Americans will receive a reversal on the 2017 tax cuts and will now be paying a maximum individual tax rate of 39.6% instead of the previous 37%. Biden also plans on eliminating a few taxing loopholes, including some of the capital gains tax breaks, whose main beneficiaries tend to be rich taxpayers. Additionally, Biden means to provide more resources for the IRS, allowing it to perform more audits on the wealthy’s tax returns and in turn enforce taxing regulations. This would mean that the overall percentage of unpaid taxes would decrease and that the government would be able to collect roughly 700 billion dollars in the next ten years, purely from unpaid taxes that have been skimped on by the rich. This alone will provide the government with a sufficient amount of money to help fund the ambitious endeavor of making college education affordable.
The proposition creates an incentive for Americans to pursue higher education and would decrease dropout rates nationwide. It would be a lifeline to less affluent communities and would enable many to achieve new heights in their careers. It would boost the economy, while enabling many to maintain stable living situations. This plan also benefits “Dreamers,” undocumented immigrants brought to America as children, and adult students who wish to attend or return to college. Considering that higher education provides a major advantage in interviews and job applications, the less fortunate often struggle more to find jobs as some are unable to afford college tuition or get a degree and thus struggle to stand out in the ever-competitive job market. Especially with the perils of COVID-19 emerging again, it is more important than ever that everyone has access to jobs and financial stability.
However, some believe that the plan won’t help as much as others think and that there are already a sufficient number of ways for students to decrease their financial burden such as scholarships and grants. Although this is a somewhat valid concern, it’s important to acknowledge that these scholarship opportunities may not be available to all students. Some also argue that the plan’s overall cost is too high and that the increased taxes on the upper class are unreasonable, but I for one believe that this issue is worth the time and financial commitment. Most complain that it would be a financial burden on the taxpayers as well and that idea as a whole is unnecessary and while this may seem true to some, we will only begin to see the positive effect of the plan on society once it commences.
Personally, I believe that Biden’s community college plan would be extremely beneficial to America. Many would be saved from the financial stress of having to worry about loans and would actually be able to support themselves through their education. Not only would they be able to find full-time jobs to support themselves and their families, but they’d also be able to improve upon themselves and perhaps find a career that they truly enjoy through their studies.
“Many would be saved from the financial stress of loans and would be able to support themselves”
This plan also has the potential to level the job playing field immeasurably in America and would support so many students in their pursuit of academic improvement. If every person had access to college, then so many would be able to hold full-time jobs while also taking care of their family and loved ones. This would allow even more people to live better, more fulfilling lives that aren’t riddled with financial instability and uncertainty. If we are able to aid people reaching higher levels of schooling, then America as a whole will improve. Ultimately, the outcome of more people graduating with degrees and livelihoods would outweigh the financial cost.
All in all, Joe Biden’s plan for community college sounds extremely promising and has the potential to revolutionize education in the United States. If implemented, it will liberate many Americans of tuition-related financial heartache and in turn will push many to strive for higher education and fulfilling careers that will undoubtedly grant them financial stability and valuable work experience that they can carry into the future.
