Should the government pay for students to go to college? At least till the age of 24?

Question

I am working on a report that the cost of tuition is so high that I belive the governmat should pay for students starting earler then the age of 24 like starting right out of high school, and any student that starts after high school, as long as they get a B or higher, should contuniue to get free school for 4 years. Is my thinking too radical?

Answer 1

If you're doing a study, then you'd know that there are over 18 million students presently enrolled in public and private colleges/universities. At an avg. cost of 15,000 per student for tuition alone, nothing else, this is 270 billion dollars and doesn't include any funding for books, housing, day to day expenses, transportation.......... parties or beer, Heavens!!

Nor does this rough estimate even begin to address the many millions more students that are not in college, I would not even try to estimate how many high school students do not go to college.

I think that it takes very little imagination to see how this idea, while grand in concept, is not presently practical nor does it have a meaningful incentive for excellence. If every high school student knew, up front, that they would be entitled to go to college, where's the incentive to excel? That alone is one of the greatest reasons NOT TO advocate such a program.

All Universities presently have incentive based scholarship programs for the deserving students that have demonstrated above average abilities, drive, motivation and are likely to excel.

Even college graduates are having a tough time finding good jobs, don't forget that.

Do we really want to create a college welfare mentality?.

It is time that many of our high school students got a dose of reality, something that they don't seem to learn soon enough.
Life should not be all about handouts, partying and beer in the journey to responsible adulthood.

Going to college is something that you earn, it's not a right.

Answer 2

I don't think it should be completely free, but I do feel the government should take action and aid more students or cut back the costs of tuition. It's absolutely ridiculous how expensive it is! True, there are ways of putting yourself through college (loans, grants, community college, etc.) but in the end, the price is so high. That was the major reason why I chose to not go to college and join the military instead right after high school, because I did not feel like putting myself in $100,000 worth of debt just to get a 4-year degree that I wasn't even sure I wanted/what I wanted it in. I came from a family with 5 children, and my parents couldn't afford to help any of us with college, so my only option was to take out loans. After I did the calculations (adding in scholarships that I received) I still would've had to take out a $20,000 loan just for the first year of college! Crazy!

Fortunately I am in a better situation now and can afford to put myself through some courses and work towards my degree, but I do feel the government should take some sort of action to make it more affordable for the lower and middle-class American students. I doubt it will ever happen though. They make promises they don't keep, and give false hope.

Answer 3

The price of education started jumping into the stratosphere as soon as the government started subsidizing college loans. If they start paying the full price, that only means that costs will jump yet again.

And, don't imagine that government paying for it means that it's free. We'll still be paying for it in ever-increasing taxes.

Moreover, it will attract more and more unmotivated students who will fill up seats that ought to be reserved for those motivated enough to pay the cost. We already have too many students wasting their parents' money. If it were the government's money, the waste would be endless.

No, I think it would be a disaster.

Answer 4

I was unaware of any government program that pays for college after age 24. However, we do have government-subsidized colleges (ie public universities & colleges) which cost the student significantly less than private.

I believe a student should pay for his college career. It's the first big purchase, big decision of most people's lives. If we don't start our adult lives by being responsible for our actions & livelihood, when will we learn that responsibility?

The responsibility of paying for that huge bill gives a person the opportunity to learn about value, as well as fundraising in the form of jobs, grants/scholarships, and even loans where necessary.

Answer 5

You are really fortunate to have received 12 years of schooling for free. The U.S. is one of the very few countries that provides free education for that period of time. In Mexico, for example, students only get 6 years of free education and if parents can't afford any more, there just is no more. The government does not owe anyone free college, but provides student loans to make the transition easier. Yes, I think your thinking is too radical.

Answer 6

I don't think they should because if they pay for students' tuitions, where would they get the money from? A probable source would be the general public, meaning new/higher taxes and I wouldn't want my tax dollars going to the college tuitions of people I don't know. Besides, there are so many scholarships out there, the government doesn't need to pay for the tuition of students with averages of B or higher. They can earn them on their own from privately-funded organizations who want to give money to students.

Answer 7

i disagree. firstly, the US is all about equal opportunity or people will get mad and have hissy fits, so limiting people who receive these benefits would be a failure. Also, making the government pay for these high costs of education will come out of OUR pockets through taxes, and i know for a fact that people will not be happy with that. Being that a lot of jobs only require a high school education, that is what most people in our country will be willing to pay for (through taxes) and no more.

Answer 8

Nice fantasy but that would jack taxes through the roof.
Not many taxpayers want to pay for someone else to get prepared for a 6 figure job .
If someone wants that degree & the high $$$ job,
why should the working taxpayers pay for that ?
Remember , government pay = taxpayers pay
And the guy working construction is that taxpayer.
He wants to pay for your school why ?

Answer 9

no the gov't shouldnt pay b/c high school students after they graduate have to become responsible and get jobs b/c then otherwise you will still be a lazy bum and not be dependable

but on the other hand......

yes they should because college expenses are going way up and there are less chances to get a job these days plus 6 out of 10 americans are in debt so they wont be able to pay for college...

Answer 10

There are places in Europe where free post-secondary is available--so no, I don't think your thinking is too radical! I would suggest learning more about what these European countries have in place as part of supporting your position.

Now, what you suggest actually sounds more like a type of government-sponsored scholarship--I think this would be even more appealing to the government than providing free post-secondary to everyone.