The Government Should Spend More on Higher Education

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Recommended: Student debt and its effect on the economy

Disproportionate inflation: inflation in a particular economic sector that is substantially greater than inflation in general costs of living. To correlate this type of inflation to health care costs would be accurate; however, the inflation of college tuition and fees far exceed even medical care costs. The need for a college degree is essential in today’s work force, and a recent report released by Georgetown University’s Center of Education and the Work Force indicates that 22 million jobs will be needed by 2018 to meet workforce demands. The report also indicates that 63% of those jobs will require a postsecondary degree (Carnevale, Smith, and Strohl). Sadly, for most students, the costs of a higher education can be troublesome and can affect the goals of many students. However, thanks to the United States government, there are billions of dollars in financial aid available to students who need help paying for college. For many students, any drastic cut in government financial aid would limit access, lifetime opportunities and aspirations and thereby threaten America’s competiveness in the global economy.

Certainly, there is a comprehensive understanding that America needs to rev up its economic engine, therefore, it is more critical than ever to retain and sustain suitable funding for the many federal student financial aid programs that offer students an opportunity to learn the skills that the nation’s workforce requires. Student financial aid comes in various forms; grants, loans, work-study and tax benefits. Federal and state government, colleges and universities, employers and other private entities provide financial aid to undergraduates and graduate students alike. In 2007-2008, 66% of all undergraduates re...

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...he Workforce. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. .

United States. Dept. of Education. “National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:08) Student Financial Aid Estimates for 2007–08.” National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:08) Student Financial Aid Estimates for 2007–08. By C. C. Wei, et al. Washington: n.p., 2009. National Center for Education Statistics. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. .

- - -. Dept. of Labor. The Employment Situation – September 2011. Washington: n.p., n.d. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. .

Vedder, Richard. “More Money Is Not the Answer.” Editorial. Rising College Costs: A Federal Role? The New York Times, 3 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. .

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