Most parents of college-age students have had the same experience: complete the FAFSA, which is burdensome enough in itself, submit the information, wait for the notification of the expected family contribution, and then try to face the shock. Whatever you thought you could afford to pay, it’s not nearly as much as what they tell you you’re going to pay. Not even close.
There is a crisis in higher education in the United States. People just can’t afford it, and many students graduate with paralyzing levels of debt. What we should do is what many civilized countries do: provide higher education free, or nearly free. We’re not going to do that, but we should.
Obama’s new proposal is a major step in the right direction. By directing more money to community colleges, the new plan will bring higher education within reach of many who cannot now afford it; direct funds to some of the most motivated students, who are best able to benefit from it; and provide education and training that is directly relevant to the career needs of many students.
Community colleges have never gotten the respect they deserve. Everyone knows a derogatory nickname for the community college in their community: when I was at Michigan State I couldn’t tell you how many times I heard Lansing Community College referred to as Last Chance College. What a mistake. Community colleges provide great value for the money, are nimble, and reach nontraditional students who are there not just because it’s expected of them, but because they are prepared to get something out of it.
I think this proposal is a great idea. It’s also a major campaign promise kept.And if you’re a parent or a prospective college student, this proposal builds on a great educational option.
I’d like to see us follow this model here in Vermont.
in my opinion we spend too much time just throwing more money at our various education systems.
Don’t get me wrong … I am NOT against
throwingshovelingbulldozing more cash towards education. As a matter of fact, I think it’s quite likely under any circumstances this is what will need to be done. I do object, however, when the money keeps going to prop educational paradigms that need to change.For example: Vermont’s state college system is designed and run around the familiar concept of a campus that provides the education. Community colleges proved many decades ago that one can bring the campus to the students rather than force the students to attend often far away locations. Correspondence schools (I’ve taken military and civilian courses this way) are another example of ways to reduce the need for centralized and expensive campuses. And of course the internet has opened up content rich processes for doing what community colleges and correspondence courses have been doing.
Pushing more of our education out of the traditional campus is a good thing, fiscally efficacious and is proven to provide valuable services.
Rama must be at the beach playing ostrich. The fastest growing segment of the Vermont State College System is the Community College of Vermont. It is a dynamic institution which conducts classes and programs all over the state. Unfortunately, Vermont continues to dump money into out-of-state institutions of higher education, including many questionable ones, via its student loan and grants programs instead of keeping the money and maybe the students at home. The time has long since passed when Vermont needs to carefully rethink how it provides funding for higher education. Obama is on the right track – again! Go CCV!!