College education is a form of higher education post high school. In most countries, including America, college education is not regarded as essential, therefore, is not offered freely. In the United States, college education is funded by the federal government, state government, the local government, as the well as the students. In public institutions, tuition fees have shot by more than 350% since the 1970s (Warren and Samir 26). Consequently, college education has become very expensive. However, the remuneration for most Americans has stagnated leaving the families with little room to maneuver financially. Today, the cost of enrolling in a public college takes up to 15% of most family’s income annually (Warren and Samir 26). The fact is that college education among citizens determines a country’s development and literacy levels. Therefore, it should be the social and moral responsibility of every government to ensure that every citizen is given a shot at higher education to improve their livelihood and eradicate poverty. A college education should be regarded as a right for the citizens, and as such, tuition fee in these institutions should be free.
Unaffordable Charge for Poor Students
The main reason why free college tuition should be implemented is that poor students may not afford the charge. During the 2016 presidential campaigns, Senator Sanders proposed to make public universities and colleges tuition-free. He intended to make it free for all Americans irrespective of their social and financial backgrounds. However, some people rejected that proposal. Kevin Cooney, an Iowa news anchor, reported that only sixty-three percent of students enrolled in college went on to graduate. According to Cooney, the plan would result in wastage since the students do not go on to complete their studies. In Warren and Sonti’s article, what Cooney missed was the fact that some of the students could not finish their college education because of their financial backgrounds (Neckerman 32). In more than seven states, severe cuts have overburdened parents with the cost being twice of what the state and local governments give. In fact, Warren and Sonti indicated that in 2013, 81% of college graduates came from high-income families. On the other hand, barely 51% of the poor students managed to graduate from college.
It is not enough to offer students loan to pursue college education, and even the non-payable federal Pell grant does not cover many students or even their entire school needs. Indeed, most American families are currently buried in debts accrued from the loans. The student debt now exceeds $ 1 trillion and still increasing alarmingly just because people have to borrow loans to settle their tuition fee. Since the 2008 recession, student loan obligation is the only consumer debt that has increased ranking only below home mortgages.
College Education is a Basic Need
Another antagonist of the Sander’s proposal was Hillary Clinton, who argued that public college tuition should not be free because it will also be free for rich people such as Donald Trump's children; an argument that misses the point on governance. Therefore, the big question is that does the government only serve the poor? It should not be lost to us that we all have equal rights as citizens of a country. Regardless of race, financial strength or status, it is important to be mindful that all these college students are Americans who pay tax, vote and perform other civic duties together. Majority of rich children attend private colleges, which are not mentioned in Bernie’s revolutionary proposal. Therefore, it is not worth fighting a social benefit such as free college education in public education just because it will also benefit those who can cater for their tuition.
Increases Revenues for the Government
After the Second World War, the government through the GI Bill opened the door for about eight million veterans returning from the war to higher education. By 1952, the program had cost the federal government roughly seven billion dollars to put the veterans through college (Mettler 25). Of the GI Bill beneficiaries, forty percent indicated that without the program, they would not have attained a college education. The bill was also designed to help even those people who had enrolled in the colleges without its help. The result was increased revenue for the federal government as the veterans improved their productivity and thus, their income (Mettler 25). Through a congressional subcommittee report in 1988, Warren and Sonti concluded that the federal government obtained additional tax revenue of $ 6.90 for every dollar it spent in the program as recorded in the article (Warren and Samir 26). However, the report indicates that through college education, people can improve their skills, attract better pay and improve their overall productivity. Increased pay and productivity translates to increased tax paid to the government.
Reduce the Number of Americans Who Need Public Assistance
Better educated people try new ideas and are not afraid to contribute their talents leading to nation-building. With a college degree, many doors and consequently, opportunities are opened to individuals. Vast chances come with better pay package, meaning that many Americans will be able to earn a couple more dollars to support their families. Thus, with a free college education, citizens will be able to significantly reduce the number of the less fortunate, who seek public assistance. Besides, people would not be stuck in low wage paying jobs, which would result in a happier nation. Ostensibly, a jovial state translates to gladder and a more prosperous country.
Also, free college education reduces the burden on graduates as they would not have to go for the loans anymore, leading to more open-minded nation. With freedom, people will use their skills to make their lives better. Therefore, we significantly decrease the number people struggling to own homes. The graduates would then walk back to their societies to take up essential jobs and join the rest in nation-building activities.
Conclusion
The government has made significant contributions to the education system. Most importantly, there are already free tuition college institutions in the US such as the college of Ozarks and Webb institution. Besides, the military academies offer free college education. However, such institutions have conditions that cannot be met by everyone to enroll there. Moreover, the opportunities are quite few compared to people who need the breaks. An educated population improves our chances of solving our common problems since everyone is exposed. Educated people also enhance their nation’s economy leading to a happy and prosperous society. Therefore it is important for people to always remember the value of equality. Besides, everyone ought to enjoy the fundamental rights, education being one of them. Hence, access to higher education should b provided for everyone by making public colleges tuition-free.
Works Cited
Mettler, Suzanne. Soldiers to Citizens: The GI. Bill and the Making of the Greatest Generation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Internet resource.
Neckerman, Kathryn M. Social Inequality. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 2004. Interne resource.
Warren, Kenneth W. and Sonti, Samir. “Why College should be Free for the Rich and the Poor.” Chronicle of Higher Education. 2016, Vol. 62 Issue 17, pA26-A27, 2p
