Posted on Jun 28, 2015
What are your thoughts about free college/university education?
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How can we make this happen? What are your thoughts about free college/university education?
Higher Education
Freedom
College
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
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There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.
(Many) Colleges and Universities are Profit driven organizations, and as such the idea of creating "free" Post-secondary education would require a restructuring of how we finance education in the US.
The money has to come from somewhere. It will either come from the individual attending college, or from society as a whole. Currently we use the individual method. "Free" just means converting to society as a whole.
The issue with that, is all the existing "college debt" that exists. Should I & My wife have to pay for our own college debt, plus future generations, or will be be credited back all that invested money? What about people who have already cleared their debt? As you can see, the concept went from "simple" to "amazingly complex" in 3 paragraphs.
Add in those that don't attend college, or those who fail classes, or those who are better suited for tradeschools, etc.
College is not for everyone, despite the propaganda.
And that's before you get to the Constitutional issues, of whether the Federal Government should even be involved in the Education gain beyond a "referee" level.
(Many) Colleges and Universities are Profit driven organizations, and as such the idea of creating "free" Post-secondary education would require a restructuring of how we finance education in the US.
The money has to come from somewhere. It will either come from the individual attending college, or from society as a whole. Currently we use the individual method. "Free" just means converting to society as a whole.
The issue with that, is all the existing "college debt" that exists. Should I & My wife have to pay for our own college debt, plus future generations, or will be be credited back all that invested money? What about people who have already cleared their debt? As you can see, the concept went from "simple" to "amazingly complex" in 3 paragraphs.
Add in those that don't attend college, or those who fail classes, or those who are better suited for tradeschools, etc.
College is not for everyone, despite the propaganda.
And that's before you get to the Constitutional issues, of whether the Federal Government should even be involved in the Education gain beyond a "referee" level.
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Capt (Join to see)
Nothing is free. The professors, the custodians, and everyone else gets paid. They do not volunteer. Books, buildings, labs, supplies, etc etc.
If the educationh is FREE where does all of the money to do this come from?
If the educationh is FREE where does all of the money to do this come from?
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MSG (Join to see)
But public high school and grammar school is acceptable. But not public secondary education?
As a society, we only have a responsibility to educate people up to a point but then if more education is needed its on the individual?
I strongly believe college is not needed for many - probably half of the jobs out there don't need college, maybe a skilled training, but not necessarily a 4 year degree.
With that said, as I continue to pay student loans for a contract I agreed to, I'd throw in some tax money for our society to publicly education past high school.
I however believe the education system should be overhauled and fixed - especially before public money gets put into colleges. The federal requirements, testing, accreditations, teacher unions, resources - the entire educational complex should be fixed dramatically before we could add another level of education into the system.
As a society, we only have a responsibility to educate people up to a point but then if more education is needed its on the individual?
I strongly believe college is not needed for many - probably half of the jobs out there don't need college, maybe a skilled training, but not necessarily a 4 year degree.
With that said, as I continue to pay student loans for a contract I agreed to, I'd throw in some tax money for our society to publicly education past high school.
I however believe the education system should be overhauled and fixed - especially before public money gets put into colleges. The federal requirements, testing, accreditations, teacher unions, resources - the entire educational complex should be fixed dramatically before we could add another level of education into the system.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
MSG (Join to see) It's not that Secondary School is acceptable and Post-Secondary is unacceptable, it is that they are different models. Secondary school is built on a Public Funded model (though there are private options). Post-Secondary is built on a Private Funded model exclusively in the US.
That is the major difference between the two. Now if we want to expand Secondary INTO Post-Secondary (to say the AA/AS level or even the BA/BS level) we need to account for adjusting that Model.
That is the major difference between the two. Now if we want to expand Secondary INTO Post-Secondary (to say the AA/AS level or even the BA/BS level) we need to account for adjusting that Model.
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I think the concept of a free college/university education is fantastic. However, we all know that there is no such thing as "free" ... so who's stuck with the bill? The taxpayer, of course. And we all know how that works --- as soon as colleges/universities can start billing the government (aka the taxpayer), they will. Naturally, the cost of all this free education will suddenly be even more expensive (because, after all, Uncle Sam has very deep pockets ... or so we're told). And, don't forget that we will also need a new government bureaucracy to administer the "free" college/university program. You think a college/university education is expensive now? See what happens when you make it "free" ...
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CPL Carolyn L. Day
NO, NO, NO, now you know how people treat FREE programs. aren't you tired of paying for WELFARE, W2, SSI, & FOOD STAMP. That's why YOUR SALARY is so low.
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Maj Bruce Miller
"Higher Education" will only be free if professors volunteer their time to teach, support staff volunteer their time to keeping the university operating, utilities provide power/gas at no cost, books and other required teaching aids are donated to the university and...well....you get the picture. There is no such thing as 'free'. And as mentioned, if the government pays for it, two things are guaranteed to happen....
1. Costs will spiral out of control and
2. The quality of education will decline to the point that many 'graduates' will be functionally illiterate.
1. Costs will spiral out of control and
2. The quality of education will decline to the point that many 'graduates' will be functionally illiterate.
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A college education is an investment. You need to weigh the cost of the degree with the opportunity for a future income and advancement. If the opportunity is good, invest in yourself. If it is not, do not. The studies show that over your lifetime you will make more money with the degree than without (although not always true). There is nothing wrong with working your way through school either.
The notion that it would be free is misguided. It would only transfer to the government and we know how well they run things. We are sitting on 17 trillion in debt and adding another "entitlement" on to that does not make sense for the American tax payer which there are fewer of than ever. Not everyone needs a degree, some go to schools to learn a trade or go right into apprenticeships and the like. We need to stop putting our hands out to the government, the government is funded by the people. There is no manna falling from heaven to pay for more government.
The notion that it would be free is misguided. It would only transfer to the government and we know how well they run things. We are sitting on 17 trillion in debt and adding another "entitlement" on to that does not make sense for the American tax payer which there are fewer of than ever. Not everyone needs a degree, some go to schools to learn a trade or go right into apprenticeships and the like. We need to stop putting our hands out to the government, the government is funded by the people. There is no manna falling from heaven to pay for more government.
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SPC Makissa Lewis
My only problem with your statement is that paying for post education happens in Europe and I don't think those individuals value their education any less because it is paid for them.
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Cpl Jeff N.
SPC Makissa Lewis Not everyone goes to college in Europe either. Actually we have a higher percentage of people with degrees than most European countries. It is inaccurate to think that Europe is paying for everyone to go to college, that simply isn't happening.
As a matter of fact, a report completed by the college board a few years ago had most EU countries below the US in % of population (ages 25-64) with a degree. Russia leads the pack at 54%, We are at 40% and countries like the UK, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland all come in at 35% or less.
We have a lot more people that start but many do not finish for a variety of reasons. Assuming government (the people) paying for college will increase the graduation results or the quality of education in this country with worthwhile degrees is likely misplaced.
As a matter of fact, a report completed by the college board a few years ago had most EU countries below the US in % of population (ages 25-64) with a degree. Russia leads the pack at 54%, We are at 40% and countries like the UK, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland all come in at 35% or less.
We have a lot more people that start but many do not finish for a variety of reasons. Assuming government (the people) paying for college will increase the graduation results or the quality of education in this country with worthwhile degrees is likely misplaced.
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