The Obama administration is starting an initiative to helping low income students enter college. The plan is to provide a college outreach program and offering financial aid. Many times lower income students are "under matched", instead of encouraging 4 year college, community college is encouraged.
Yet, according to Jim McCorkell, there are two big problems that hit these kids especially hard: tuition costs and student debt. "When you look at the average student loan debt in America, it's now approaching $30,000; so something has got to be done," says McCorkell. "The question is, what's driving tuition up at a rate so much greater than inflation?
The only governor in attendance was Delaware's Jack Markell, a Democrat. He says enrolling more low-income students in public institutions is a costly proposition given the huge cuts in state funding for higher education in recent years. But the nation's economy, says Markell, cannot afford to lose bright young people just because they're poor.
This seems to be a great initiative. Acknowledging the the risk of not encouraging college to lower income students but also stating the barriers of financial debt. I am wondering how effective this initiate will be? What is the plan for successful outreach?
I think this is a very interesting topic and I am really hoping it works out and is able to benefit so many more. I know so many kids that are very bright and yet they are pushed into the workforce instead of college just due to circumstances.I only wish this was looked at and in place before I accrued my student loans!
ReplyDeleteI'll play the bad guy in this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to the middle class students who have parents that make just enough but will still end up with a lot of debt? These students will still end up with 30,000$ in debt when they graduate even though help is given to those under a specific poverty line.
So what is driving tuition up? Is it to cover the cost of hone other students
That's an interesting thought. I would definitely like to know what is driving the costs up. I'd also be interested in finding out where most of the student debt lies, and whether if it's mainly students from low income families, middle class families who don't qualify for grants and other aid, or about equal.
DeleteThis article takes an interesting approach to reporting the story; it seems that the author is wary of the actual implementation of this plan. Melissa Davis brings up a good point, and I agree. As is often the case, there will always be a group of people who just miss the eligibility cut-off for a program or benefit, and it is important that we also work to support that group. One of my concerns for the president's proposition is that it focuses on admitting students to college and supporting them once they are admitted, but it does not seem to place as great of an emphasis on encouraging students to apply in the first place. Reaching out to students would be beneficial for institutions of higher education because it would encourage greater community involvement, but without that piece, students who for so long have not thought about college may not know enough about how to navigate the application process.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great initiative and think it would give hope to many children who are growing up poor. Yes, the middle class at times need help too especially when it comes to a college education and worrying about debt but I feel they do not consistently hear discouraging words as children growing up in poverty do. This can be more of a motivator for kids in poverty to help get them out of the cycle.
ReplyDelete