Nope, not even close, actually. But giveaways don’t solve poverty. They never will, which is why it’s so much worse as we keep escalating the freebies. But, some people just don’t get this. I realize that.
Before you read: I don’t despise community college at all. I respect all of the institutions fully as they can be useful.
This is just my opinion, thanks. 
(also I just want people to view my post, no replies to this please)
This will lead to a serious problem for students in high school because since community college basically is open guaranteed admission as long as you get a high school diploma, or even a GED, which makes it so that a high school dropout can even do this, because I know several people who are purposely barely passing because they want to transfer (and of course, the damn media is making it seem like it’s super easy to transfer, I don’t think it is for everyone, it depends highly on the individual really). Thus, those people usually conform with the already, not to be mean, students who already screwed up their lives, this will eventually raise the idiocy among students in high school since they are exposed to things that are just wrong. (The heck? How does that relate?) It relates because since the people who want to transfer just barely pass in academics, makes them so to do other, and usually, pointless things since they have nothing else to do. It’s called conformity, happens A LOT in high school.
I understand that Obama wants to fix this economic problem but they need to work with the high schools (especially public and advising) and fund the universities who need more money to operate, this stage of life is probably the time where you find who you are and how much intelligence you have for the most part.
I mean if you think about it, they are just asking high school students to not strive at all, go to community, then “transfer”, and all of this other bull that is becoming too damn popular. I was about to do this as well starting sophomore year, but I realized in the late 2nd semester that I don’t care that much about money, so I’m going to state or private since I want that whole experience of college (as I don’t mind community, however), I would probably never trade anything for my memories at a legit 4-year college, not even money (I live under a $20K at average each year, they should fund the STATE universities instead and give more money for the people who seriously cannot afford it, like the UCalifornia system giving LOTS of money to the economically disadvantaged). Freshman and sophomore year of a legit 4-year college is a once in lifetime thing also. But now that this is happening, should I fail my courses purposely and just wait for community college to actually try since there is no point anymore to try in high school, or what? Is this what they’re really asking?
Anyways, like other people said, if they want to do this, they should definitely raise the requirements to go to community college. Please.
Government-funded community college education is nothing to be excited about especially if it’ll be handled the same way as K-12 education is currently handled. Maybe they should put the taxpayer dollars to better use by expanding the FAFSA to encompass more of the middle class–the ones who are too rich for aid but too poor for full price. Most of those people would be attending state universities or better.
FAFSA is simply a form. There is nothing to “expand”
Community colleges used to be near-free to almost everyone. It’s because of substantial higher-education funding cuts (on top of other costs) that have caused rates to skyrocket.
@romanigypsyeyes
I meant expand federal aid (which one applies for via FAFSA) for people going to four year unis.
The Pell Grant is extremely unlikely to be expanded. This has more of a chance of passing than expanding Pell Grants IMO.
And, fwiw, as someone who was full Pell, it only covered about 1/5 of the cost of my in-state public U.
Isn’t a Pell Grant already enough to attend most CC’s. So, we are no longer talking about poverty. We are talking about everybody with a 2.0 or higher attending a CC on the taxpayers dime. Why again? I think this is a terrible idea. Sorry.
@elefish92 lol community college is already free for poor students. My community college is a little under 2k per semester and the max pell grant aid you can receive in a year is 5k. This changes very little for the poor and unmotivated.
You seem really butthurt and entitled? Some people can’t afford 4 years of state school so they need to go to a community college.
A big percentage of community college students are older people. When jobs get scarce, many people go back to school for a new profession. Pell grants have a 6 year eligibility. This would open doors for many older people who want to go back to school.
Should we require ACT/SAT for people who have been out of school for decades?
I’d want the free schooling to have requirements like a keeping up a minimum GPA and having to pay out of pocket to retake a course.
The state is going to have to pay for at least some of this program to be implemented. That means less money going to public four year universities. The UC system is already so expensive, and I think that this program will likely cause public 4 year university tuition to go up.
For my local CC at least, classes are overcrowded and hard to get. Tuition becomes free and many more students start to enroll in the CC. Classes become impossible to get, and the CC will not be able to keep up with the amount of students. This creates a problem that can only be solved by more taxpayer money to physically expand the college.
I’m just glad this plan will be struck down. Partisanship can be a beautiful thing at times.
It already is free…Pell grants…At my previous CC, after the refunds from the financial aid office were sent out to students, many MANY kids just left…And then come back and rinse,repeat the process over and pver until they are denied (apprx 6 semesters in…) It makes you wonder why we are wasting our taxes on this sort of ineffectual strategy of encouraging education–and ergo a free 1,500 dollar check every time they apply, often with no intention of actually getting an education
And the tuition is almost totally covered by the Pell Grant entirely… Usually kids with need get 5,730 dollars a semester…Average tuition is only around 3500. Books are like 500-1000. 4,500 and you usually get another 1,230 bucks–for “expenses”. How is it not free? In fact, they are PAYING many people who have no intention of doing anything besides taking the money and buying tvs, cars, phones, etc… Then, after dropping out 2 months in, they come running to come back next year and start the scheme over again… THIS is the problem folks…Free money with absolutely no accountability and not motivation (other than those who actually wish to get an education and contribute to the tax base, not mooch off of it)
A couple of random points…
If you don’t keep up your GPA, you will lose your “scholarship”. Funds would go directly to the CC (no chance of pocketing the $). It does nothing for low SES students (who will have Pell), or anyone attending a 4 year college (it could, in fact, hurt attendance at smaller public/private 4 year colleges). Finally, the scholarship can also be used at “technical colleges” in addition to your local CC.
mkgoggins, from other posts it appears you have been the recipient of Pell Grants in community college yourself. I am sure you wouldn’t like people presuming to understand your circumstances or insinuating that you were using the money inappropriately. Maybe you should extend others the same benefit of the doubt.
At first glance, this sounds like motherhood and apple pie - who would think it is a bad idea?
Then I got to thinking - what problem is this trying to solve?
Other questions come to mind are, in no particular order:
- With today's high school graduation rates, how many would really be able take advantage for this?
- Is the low cost of tuition at CCs a real barrier to entry now?
- Doesn't it makes sense of CC students to pay something and have some skin in the game?
- How long does it take for a typical CC student to get a 2 year degree? I bet it's not just 2 years, what happens then?
- Like question 1, what is the CC graduation rate now? Making it free will only make that worse.
- Will doing this have any impact on the every escalating cost of 4 year tuitions? Or, will it make that worse?
- Will doing this really have any real impact at all??????
This stuff is never clear or easy!!!
Do we need potentially more people going to college? There are enough unemployed college grads as it is.
Education is not the issue here and going to community college to take classes on Pottery and English isn’t going to solve anything.
Expanding Pell Grants is an interesting alternative. Keep the max award level the same, but expand the income range so it includes more lower middle class families. This would effectively “means test” the award, targeting the additional funds at lower SES students and lower middle class students. It would also give these students the option of attending a 4 year university (which significantly increases your chance to graduate with a 4 year degree).
Expanding Pell would also avoid issues with “Federal Mandates”, which would make it much easier to go through congress.
On the downside…check out the recent trend in funding…
https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/images/pubs-images/44xxx/44448-land-figure1.png
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/44448
It looks like typical government program…we clearly don’t seem able to manage it’s escalating cost, adding more fuel to the fire could be a very bad idea.
It might be better to pay on the back end, in order to drive to a successful result:
- If you attend a CC and graduate in 2 years, you get reimbursed.
- If you graduate in 3 years, you get reimbursed for 1 year (50% of the 2 year plan)
- if you don't complete...thanks for playing/paying!
One other thought…we could expand this back end type incentive program to how current federal aid is awarded at 4 year institutions too. That way students are incented to finish with degree and not drop out. After all getting into college is not the goal, completing is!
Gosh I love the smell of classism and poor bashing in the morning. Never gets old 
@adkdad the problem with your plan is that many, MANY students cannot afford to just front the costs. Many people don’t just have a few grand laying around.
As for Pell grants, you have to be VERY close to the poverty line to get the full Pell grant. It’s not like all students with need get it