The High Cost Of College Tuition

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For the 1975-76 school year, the average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year, public university was $2,387. Since 1975, the cost of college tuition has increased by roughly 394%, with tuition costing $9,410 during the 2015-16 school year (College Board, 2016). As college costs continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for students, and their families, to bear the costs of getting an education. According to a survey by Edward Jones, financial advisor, “83% of Americans say they cannot afford the expense of a college education for themselves or a family member” (Levaux, 2015). Because of this, the United States should implement a policy that allows all U.S. citizens to obtain a post-secondary education at public institutions, up to a Bachelor’s Degree, free of charge. The above-proposed policy is completely nondiscriminatory. This means that under the policy, all U.S. citizens – regardless of socioeconomic status, race, age, etc. – will be eligible for a free post-secondary education. In addition to free tuition, post-secondary students will also receive a financial allotment, based on the number of course hours taken, for textbooks and other school-related supplies. Some of these supplies could include, but are not limited to; calculators, laptop and parking pass. For example, a student taking fifteen credit hours may be given between $1,000 and $1,500 for their school-related expenses. To receive the benefits of a free education, student’s must meet certain guidelines each college semester. Students will be expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout their entire college career. If a student’s GPA falls below a 2.0, they will be put on academic probation. Also, students will be expected to attend class regul... ... middle of paper ... ...ing in a lower percentage of individuals living in poverty and decreased crime rates. As with any governmental policy, there are both pros and cons to this proposed free post-secondary education policy. With a higher percentage of individuals obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, both poverty and the income gap will be lessened for all races. In turn, criminal activity will be at an all-time low. However, the amount of tax increases needed to fund free college may be a great deal, and therefore, not all individuals may have the financial means required to pay these increased taxes. Many people would argue that higher education is a human right, hence it should not be so financially difficult for one to achieve a post-secondary degree. Therefore, this policy would be perfect for ensuring that every United States individual has equal opportunity to receiving higher education.

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