The importance of publicly funded post education for in-state schools connects back to the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. With the newly founded and continued development of the United States, the idea that education was the heart of democracy was shared between these two men. In order to keep a functioning society, people must not be in ignorance and have access to learning. According to John Adams, “The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people and be willing to bear the expenses of it “ (Adams). As most people agreed with the importance of provided tuition for college, the Morrill Act of 1862 was issued, allowing citizens access to education at no cost. As a result of the growing gap between the rich and the poor, this was the only solution, allowing students to attend school in order to pursue and obtain a higher degree. As the years continued, the idea of a publicly funded post education was left in the wind, disregarding the importance and significance of it. The removal of this act now forces students out of school and lowers their education and further success in the future.
The controversial subject of government provided education and its effectiveness has been debated throughout this nation’s history. The access to further education at no cost should not be a questioned matter. By providing such, it will allow individuals who cannot afford college an equal opportunity to be a productive member of society. Many students chose not to attend college because of the high costs and those who do attend, battle with student loan debts, often all the way to retirement. As John Adams wrote, “[E]ducation of youth, especially of the lower class of people, are so extremely wise and useful, that, to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant” (Adams). By allowing the college to be publicly funded, it will become an investment to this country’s future. These public funds would help students receive the education they deserve, just as the founding fathers intended. It is the state’s duty to fund education, exactly what the Founding Fathers believed in while constructing this great nation. They knew it would be an investment to this democracy and the future of this country. To argue against such idea is similar to supporting the failure of this nation’s students by limiting the access of it. Although such funding by the state would require tax dollars, spending money on public education will only benefit the children of the future by expanding the percentage of people who attend college, which would result in a more educated and financially stable economy, as well allowing students to focus more on their education and overall success.
The tuition for college should be provided by the government because by doing so, a significant increase in attendance will occur. Too many recent high school graduates feel that they cannot afford to attend college. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of “October 2017, 66.7 percent of 2017 high school graduates age 16 to 24 were enrolled in colleges or universities” (BLS). This means that approximately 33.3% of high school graduates chose not to attend college or seek further education. Over 2/3 of students who chose not to consider college did so because of the high cost. The cost of attending college has increased by 1,122% since 1978 and is the leading factor that discourages students to pursue a higher education. Relating back to the 66.7% of students who chose to go to college, according to The Institute for College Access & Success, “71% of all students graduating from four-year colleges had student loan debt.” To most, that’s an average of $39,400 in debt. Such a large sum of money can leave the loaner in debt for over 30 years, which would discourage them from taking any risks in the future. In regards to the students who receive Pell Grants, “which are subsidy the U.S. federal government provides for students who need it to pay for college” ( FSA), individuals who receive such grants, are much more likely to borrow more money. In fact, “Among graduating seniors who ever received a Pell Grant, 88% had student loans in 2012, with an average of $31,200 per borrower” (ICAS). To avoid such costs, students from low-income households who choose to attend college attend a low-quality institution. These students often struggle during college and often drop out without a degree. This is a result of other expenses along with college costs that the student cannot afford. In fact, “one-quarter of low-income students were no longer enrolled in college, having dropped out without a credential. Among high-income students, the rate is less than 10 percent.” (Brookings). By not limiting the price on education, more students will attend college and obtain a college degree. By publicly funding the college, over 23% of students will seek enrollment in further education, and over 25% of students from poor-income households will not drop out of college. Every hard working student deserves a right to pursue a greater education, making this only accomplishable by making college cost-free. After graduating from college and being debt free, real opportunities are available, leading the student to a clear path of personal and economic growth.
The nation’s economy and the success of this country all depends on the workers it withholds. In order for the workers to acquire more knowledge, skills, and capabilities, they must be enrolled through postsecondary education. Without access to this education, the United States’ economy will be jeopardized. Today’s economy requires more individuals to attain higher education. For instance, according to the Center of American Progress, “By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require bachelor’s or associate’s degrees or some other education beyond high school, particularly in the fastest growing occupations—science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health care, and community service” (CAP). As a result of high college costs, not only is the students future at risk but so is 2/3 of the jobs requiring a college degree. Professions relating to medicine, science, and math will be unavailable to students who do not attend college. In fact, adults in the workforce aged 55 to 64 had access to a postsecondary education during a time where it was affordable. Now, as the investment in students has fallen, tuition and student loan debt have increased. With the continued high costs of college, the current generation will not be able to keep up with the requirements in order to obtain a higher degree. Sooner than later, adults currently in the workforce will have to seek retirement, leaving jobs open to students who cannot afford an education and continue the success of this country. In fact, a recent study was concluded which found out that, “the typical bachelor’s degree holder earned about $1.2 million over a lifetime—about $600,000 more than the average high school diploma holder and about $300,000 more than the average associate’s degree holder” (Hershbein and Kearney). By allowing them access to public education, and as students transition into adults, they will be able to financially support themselves, their families, and boost the productivity of this nation. Individuals without college debt will spend less time and resources worrying on how to pay that money back but instead will help the economy by having the access to buy more houses and consumer goods compared to someone who does not have a college education, which would ultimately benefit this country. In fact, “the average bachelor’s degree holder contributes $278,000 more to local economies than the average high school graduate through direct spending over the course of his or her lifetime” (Brookings). By simply allowing the access of college, it will significantly benefit the individual and the economy. By all measures, college graduates will contribute to their communities increasingly higher than those who only have a high school diploma. Not only is a college graduate “24 percent more likely to be employed, but they are more than twice as likely to volunteer and contribute nearly 3.5 times more money to charity” (APLU). For instance, those with college degrees are less likely to rely on government services and programs such as unemployment benefits, Medicaid, housing, and food stamps. Not to mention that college graduates are 5 times less likely to be imprisoned. By not limiting the cost of college, eliminating programs such as these are more likely to occur, resulting in the United States saving more than $3.9 trillion. Such great accomplishments are only achievable by allowing access to free education. The benefits of free college are limitless, benefiting the society indifferently in all ways, including in allowing the student to follow their passion.
As the price of current education is on the rise, more students struggle with ways paying off the student loan debt. In order to avoid less debt, students seek employment. In fact. “approximately 71 percent of all college students are employed while completing their undergraduate education (2010 US Census).” On average, students take 12-15 hour courses a week. In regards to this, the amount a student should spend doing homework and studying per week is around 30 hours. Totaling in over 45 hour weeks, over 71% of students have part-time or full-time jobs, meaning their weekly schedule combined with school and work is 60-85 hours. While students are working, focusing on how to pay off their debt, their effort on school and education declines significantly. In fact, students who attend the cheapest universities are 2/3 employed in order to support themselves and the costs of college. The effect on part-time or full-time employment by college students shows a significant decline in their Grade-Point-Average. In fact, according to the BYU Employment Services, “jobs would detract from studying and be harmful to a student’s GPA (BYU). Not only is employment a large factor in the educational decline, but many other negative factors contribute to it as well. In fact, more than 64 percent of employed students report that they experience high levels of stress as a result of working more than students who were not employed. The amount of stress that these students deal with are detrimental to their health and success. Not only does working during one’s attendance during college decrease their GPA and increase their levels amount of stress in order pay for college, but a significant rate of dropouts are related to employment in order to pay for college. In fact, “Working contributes to a higher likelihood that students will drop out of school before receiving a degree. Workers are 10 percent less likely to eventually receive a degree who do not work at all’ (BYU). Multiple negative components occur because of a non-publicly founded college. By eliminating this worry for the students, multiple beneficial results will occur.
Some critics of this position would argue that having a publicly funded college would significantly increase taxes, affecting millions of Americans and society as a whole. The term, “Nothing in life is free” is applicable in most cases, including in this one. Whenever something is without a cost, it’s simply a matter of who pays the cost. The idea of free college will cost an estimated amount of $75 billion dollars annually, resulting in over a 37% tax increase for citizens. By publicly funding schools, inflations in mortgage payments, utilities, food, and daily expenses will severely increase, and “With a budget deficit of $742 billion and $18 trillion in national debt, Americans should ask: Can we really afford to pay for another program that would in all likelihood quickly become another entitlement?” (Luebke). If a program like this were to pass, more Americans will suffer than gain from this idea. In fact, eventually, when the students become working individuals, the amount that they saved by not paying college tuition, will be repaid in taxes, and everyday expenses. This inflation on the country will benefit no one, affecting society as a whole. Although public funding institutions will raise taxes, it is the public’s duty to ensure that every citizen has the right to peruse a further education. Not only is limiting the opportunity to attend college go strictly against the Founding Fathers beliefs, but it negatively impacts the society. By restricting further education at no cost, it will result in fewer people attending college, impact the productivity and success of this nation, and will negatively impact the student’s grades.
In conclusion,