Obama Proposes 2 Free Years of Community College for All Students

Emily Newton

In early January, the President announced that he would like to make community college even more accessible to everyone. “Put simply, what I’d like to do is to see the first two years of community college free for everyone who’s willing to work for it”, he stated in a video posted on Facebook.

The basic proposal is that the federal government will cover 75% of the cost while the states must provide for the other 25%. In addition, students who enroll at least half time and maintain a 2.5 GPA will be eligible. If this proposal is made a reality, the White House estimates that the program will impact 9 million people and the average community college student will save an average of $3,800 yearly. It’s important to note, though, that this is just a proposal. Obama has made two other proposals relating to Community College that have yet to be approved by Congress.

If this proposal becomes a reality, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Community colleges have become known as institutions that are cheaper and easier because, let’s be honest- who goes to community colleges now? People who are either not accepted into universities (because of poor academic performance) or people who don’t have the finances to attend a 4-year university. As a result, community colleges have come to be stigmatized as the place that expects less, teaches less, and costs less. This, then, raises the question about equality of education. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954) ruled that separate is not equal. Are students subjected to less of an education by having to attend community colleges?

At the most selective 4-year universities, wealthy students outnumber poor student by a ratio of 14:1. In addition, between 1982 and 2006, the proportion of students from the richest quarter of the population attending community colleges has declined, while those attending from the poorest quarter have increased. AKA people with more money are opting for universities and people with less money are flooding community colleges. BUT, if community colleges were offered free to everyone, this could lead to a change in this trend. People love the word “free”- poor, middle class, and the rich. And a free two-year education would draw plenty more people in to community colleges from different socioeconomic classes.

Another consideration would be the change in curriculum offered. Currently, 81% of students enroll in community college with the intention of transferring to a 4-year university, yet after 6 years, only 12% go on to get a bachelor’s degree. Teachers know this and community colleges, in turn, don’t challenge students as much as universities do. But, integration of students who really will go on to 4 year institutions will force community colleges to shape up and offer tougher curriculum. It will also allow for more liberal arts programs instead of just vocational programs. And, most importantly, it will expose students to other academically successful, motivated students, which can prove to be highly effective in encouraging students to perform better. In short, Obama’s proposal will lessen the gap in academic expectations and access to academic programs between community colleges and universities with socioeconomic integration.

Again, this is still just a proposal with many withstanding questions. Where will the money come from to pay for everyone’s free tickets? Why shouldn’t those who can afford to pay be eligible for a free two years? What will come of the federal aid, such as the PELL grants? And, everyone’s favorite question: How will this proposal go over with Congress?