<p>^Community colleges don’t cost $20,000 though.</p>
<p>Cooper Union under the free tuition scheme would have cost a local student commuting, food, personal, and books expense, which shouldn’t be that different from a high school or community college student. Of course, the end of the free tuition adds $20,000 per year to the cost, unless the student gets financial aid to offset that.</p>
<p>Peter Cooper had a rare dream and for 150 years, the institution he started has offered a wonderful education in specific fields at no cost to the student. This was his legacy, and unlike the model some are referring to, where endowments are grown on the contributions of alumni, Cooper donated the entire endowment which lasted a very long time and educated a large number of students. I respect its history and have admired, in particular, it’s art school. While it attracts amazing talent, I think it is less likely to matriculate artists looking to get rich.</p>
<p>So I’m wistful, really, that the unique tuition-free environment at this school has become a victim. I don’t have any dog in this fight, my kids never applied there, but I wish modern times, or the money managers hadn’t defeated Cooper’s idealistic bequest.</p>