Community College Benefit Analysis

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Pages: 4

On January 20, 2015 in the State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama announced his proposal of lowering tuition prices at community colleges to zero (Obama). The President hopes to eliminate tuition fees to students by having the federal and state government pay the operating expenses of these institutions. The state of California had this same thought in mind when it implemented The Master Plan of Higher Education in 1960, which provided free tuition for all residents (Pickens 9). After twenty-four years the state's budget could no longer afford to offer free tuition and student fees were reinstated. Without a doubt, the cost to attend a university is expensive. However, community college is affordable, convenient and free for those …show more content…
Implementing the President's proposal and making community college free would spend tax money to pay for the middle and upper class to attend these colleges. If a student can afford the tuition to attend a junior college, they should pay and not taxpayers. Currently the government's deficit is approximately eighteen trillion dollars ("United"). This proposal could potentially add another six billion dollars yearly to federal expenses (Holland). Rather than unnecessarily spend revenue, the government should educate students on grants, scholarships, financial aid, and other affordable ways to pay for …show more content…
Rather than pay the high tuition to a university, students will choose the free alternative and enroll into a community college. Many students that start off at a community college do not transfer to a university and settle for an associate's degree or vocational certificate, rather than finish their original pursuit of a bachelor's degree. Students who enroll into a university are more likely to graduate in comparison to students who enroll into a community college (Johnson). Kevin Dougherty, a researcher at the University of Berkley, details in his book, The Contradictory College, the many obstacles that hinder students at community college from advancing to a university (10). Excessive paperwork, loss of credit, and higher tuition rates are a few reasons students do not transfer to a university. Consequently, to off-set the lower enrollment rates, universities may have to raise tuition fees even more. This huge price differential between universities and junior colleges will further encourage students to enroll into two-year colleges which will ultimately lower the number of students graduating with a bachelor