The Status of Tuition Fees in Community Colleges
As Leonhardt points out that we are entitled to our own opinions. In the contemporary world, it is evident that the world is polarized, for this reason, we tend to choose our sides. Surrounded by people who hold similar opinions and who increase our confidence and chances of being right. One issue that has raised controversy is the status of tuition fees in the community colleges. The concern, in this case, is college affordability since the cost of education in this age is so high several students opt not to pursue high education.
Benefits of Free College
Free college is expected to bring about benefits to the entire nation. Although the individual students are the ones who benefit the most, the utmost effect will be felt in the entire American economy. With a better-educated workforce, it is evident that there would be several skilled people to fill the gaps in the economy that would, in turn, lead to faster growth of the economy. Even so, this is not the only reason why college education should be free: there is an underlying moral ad philosophical implication providing each American regardless of the social standing to have equal access to education. In this regard, each individual in the United States deserves the right to quality education so long as they have the ability to benefit from it.
Education as a Right
Several reasons have been sited regarding the need to consider education as a right. One of the reasons is the fact that people would have more likelihood of contributing their talents and pursue their interests. Indeed it is easier to do so while not stuck in debt or being stuck in a low wage job. Therefore, having people work in comfortable position would result in satisfaction in the working places and consequently led even to better job outcomes. In the same regard, better education would ensure that there is skillful decision making which would facilitate progress in solving various contentious issues.
Equal Opportunity for Lower Income Households
A considerable number of Americas top performing students never apply to the expensive colleges and universities. Such students are the ones who hail from minority groups and low-income households and therefore affordability to them is an issue. Therefore, they opt for the lesser selective schools, and consequently, the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. If the government were to sponsor college education, then this would mean that the students in lower income households would have the chance to graduate (Salgado). Considering then the rates of dropouts are considerably high, then it is evident that making tuition free would pave the way for graduation.
Freedom in Choosing Majors
Still, according to (Alex) on the issue of advocating for tuition-free colleges, it is evident that students then would have the opportunity of choosing the major that they deem suitable for them. Currently, students choose their majors depending on the practicality in real life situations. For instance, considering the hefty education burdens and parents influence, students are compelled to go for those majors that will have the likelihood of having a large pay check in future. However, freedom from the issues of high debts may enable students to pursue those courses that are enjoyable to them and perform well in their choices.
Increased Enrollment and Skilled Workforce
Currently, the enrollment to public schools has been on the rise, and therefore the same has been reflected on increased school fees. According to Hill eliminating the large bills that come with college education, more students would have the opportunity to attend college and gain skills that would enable them to join the skilled workforce and participate in skillful decision making and innovation in the society.
Disadvantages of Free College
All in all, although free tuition is expected to bring about several advantages, the same is expected to result in several various disadvantages. For instance, according to (Walsh) changing college tuition policy to free would require a hefty amount of money. The money would be expected to be sourced from taxes which in turn would eat into the incomes of the working populations in America. The people who are likely to be affected in this case are the upper and middle class. Carrying this tax burden would affect the entire economy while benefitting only one sector of the economy.
Lessons and Value of College Education
Similarly, college education is supposed to fill the students with various experiences. According to Lobosco, one of the important lessons taught in college is how to work with a budget. The lesson is practically taught by the provision of education loans to students. How the students pay the loans demonstrates how the students are articulate in working the budgets. More so the lesson is about responsibility for one's resources. Eliminating the student's loans would deny the students the capacity to learn how to handle finances at this age. This experience, therefore, will be denied to the students in colleges and therefore may not know how to handle finances in the future.
Devaluation of College Education and Decline in Private Institutions
Additionally, it is evident that once made free, college education may be devalued and may not seem as important. For instance, students may consider other activities which may have value for their money at the expense of the education. In this regard, the current fees that are charged in colleges give the students the ultimate drive to complete education and have their diplomas. Lack of the financial drive may be caused by free education opportunities. Most importantly it is evident that free college education would lead to the imminent decline in enrollment in private institutions. The effect is that there will be a definite decline in the job opportunities in such institutions as such schools only rely on tuitions, donation, and endowments for funding.
Works Cited
Office of the Press Secretary. “FACT SHEET - White House Unveils America's College Promise Proposal: Tuition-Free Community College for Responsible Students.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, 9 Jan. 2015, obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/09/fact-sheet-white-house-unveils-america-s-college-promise-proposal-tuitio.
Walsh, Jennifer E. “Why States Should Abandon the 'Free College' Movement.” National Review, National Review, 19 Mar. 2018, www.nationalreview.com/2018/03/why-states-should-abandon-the-free-college-movement/.
Alex, Wroblewski. “Free Tuition in New York: Who Will Benefit?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 Apr. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/opinion/free-tuition-in-new-york-who-will-benefit.html.
Lobosco, Katie. “Tuition-Free College Is Getting Bigger. Here's Where It's Offered.” CNNMoney, Cable News Network, 4 Aug. 2017, 11:43, money.cnn.com/2017/05/16/pf/college/states-tuition-free-college/index.html.
Hill, Catharine. “Opinion | Free Tuition Is Not the Answer.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/opinion/free-tuition-is-not-the-answer.html.
Salgado, Juan. “When Community College Is Free.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 Sept. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/opinion/free-community-college-chicago.html.
