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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEducationStarted 7yrs agoActive 2hrs ago

Should the federal government pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities?

A 2017 College Board study estimated that the cost of college has increased 100% since 2001. The St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank estimates that U.S. college tuition debt has increased from $480 billion in 2006 to $1.5 trillion in 2018. Several 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary candidates have argued that the cost of college is out of control and that the government should pay for tuition. Opponents argue that the government cant afford it and point to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal budget that estimate programs would cost the government $80 billion a year.

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55.5k Replies

 @8G5FNF4Libertarian from Tennessee  answered…6yrs6Y

No, but they should offer more scholarships and grants for all students of all types of income.

 @9SBR6FL from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

No, states like Tennessee are giving free college to those who graduate within the state by using the lottery and not be able to deviate the funds.

 @9D4Y3KJ from Tennessee  answered…3yrs3Y

No but provided lower interest rates and more schools opportunities

 @9CLJG9C from Tennessee  answered…3yrs3Y

No but provide zero interest loans for student loans

 @9B8YSBW from Tennessee  answered…3yrs3Y

Universities should be cheaper in general.

 @98V8PP6 from Tennessee  answered…3yrs3Y

No, more scholarships and lower interest rates

 @8YH4WKX from Tennessee  answered…4yrs4Y

The government should pay partial tuition and lower interest rates.

 @8TSQQPY from Tennessee  answered…5yrs5Y

I do not think the federal government should pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities, however, I do think that paying some or lowering the prices for college would greatly benefit many.

 @8QXCVTH from Tennessee  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, but only for specific cases

 @8LGZ94V from Tennessee  answered…6yrs6Y

Maybe half

 @8L6YRD7 from Tennessee  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes for lower income households

 @8KM75XQ from Tennessee  answered…6yrs6Y

Two year degree

 @8JL3F6YDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but only for community and state colleges.

 @BDXM5WL from Tennessee  answered…1wk1W

No, but something has to be done about costs. Four-year institutions are charging way too much.

 @BDXCRJ9 from Tennessee  answered…1wk1W

Yes, but only if they control the prices and private schools are not covered by the government

 @BDW6VZMDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…2wks2W

Yes, but only up to 80%. Pending a 4.0 GPA.

 @BDMRDTJ from Tennessee  answered…4wks4W

No, but make student loans zero interest.

 @BDKXL8W from Tennessee  answered…1mo1MO

I believe the federal government should pay tuition for military veterans and families after they serve for five years. I believe scholarships are important if you earn them, they should not give students free tuition just because of their economic position.

 @BDGR7FBRepublican from Tennessee  answered…1mo1MO

Yes, but in limited, merit-based contexts.

 @BD5XPSR from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

No, but the government should make it like a Social Security system where people have to pay taxes that go into college funds for their children from birth to 18

 @BD3NNX5No Labels from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

allow free schooling and allocate more funding to allow it

 @BD3CSKXNo Labels  from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

Yes but it shpuld depend on income and tax returns

 @BD35VQP from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

Make some four year colleges free so there are options available for everyone.

 @BCY3KJ3 from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

Depends on the purpose

 @BCY326R from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

sure if they want more stable people to help them out in wars maybe but that could lead to an increase on world spending.

 @BCXYGQV  from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

No, make education affordable and non profit.

 @BCXKMKW from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

No, but something needs to be done about the prices

 @BCQPMY7 from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

Yes, but only for students who fall under the poverty line, or can not afford education

 @BCPHRBY from Tennessee  answered…2mos2MO

Yes for medical field and other struggling fields

 @BBS5978No Labels from Tennessee  answered…3mos3MO

Yes, but have income thresholds to ensure marginalized communities are given priority based on their income.

 @BBN9S6R from Tennessee  answered…3mos3MO

Yes BUT only if said person finishes all 4 years and gets a degree, if they do not they should have to pay

 @BBJ7XCFDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…4mos4MO

Incentivizing public universities to have lower costs and a combination of other factors to ultimately lower the cost of public higher education

 @BBGLB6Q from Tennessee  answered…4mos4MO

Maybe as selective and awarded through academics. Stop backing these colleges to charge whatever they want and causing the student loan chaos. Take out a loan, you should be responsible to pay, but that should have more requirements to qualify.

 @BB8764X from Tennessee  answered…4mos4MO

All higher education should be required to be paid in cash only, and there should be federal maximum limits for the costs of higher education.

 @BB56HVK from Tennessee  answered…4mos4MO

No, but allow there to be more scholarships available for students with medical history. And create easier and cheaper ways to pay back student loans.

 @BB23C58 from Tennessee  answered…4mos4MO

In Germany if you pass a difficult test called the Abitur then college is free. Maybe we could do something similar with the ACT. I don't think that the government should pay tuition for everyone.

 @B9R4FMV from Tennessee  answered…5mos5MO

Yes, but only public schools and by enforcing strict policies, encouraging student to maintain their grades and participation; for US citizens only.

 @B9CB5L7 from Tennessee  answered…5mos5MO

No, but the cost of tuition should be reduced, or have the option to pay a 1-time fee each year taken.

  @AWSQSHI23Independent  from Tennessee  answered…5mos5MO

No, but they should heavily regulate student loans, restrict the borrowing amount, restrict the rates allowed, and offer more scholarships.

 @B8ZTJWR from Tennessee  answered…6mos6MO

Sometime. But like if people can pay for it. Yeah, let them go ahead and pay. But like if certain people can't, then yes.

 @B8Y6L77Peace and Freedom from Tennessee  answered…6mos6MO

Only for lower income kids who clearly excel in certain areas. Not just because they can throw a ball

 @B8V64R5 from Tennessee  answered…6mos6MO

no, but provide lower interest rate for student loans and make more scholarships for the low income students.

 @B8HCX58 from Tennessee  answered…7mos7MO

I believe that the government should pay for tuition because many minority groups can't afford college which then causes another economic gap between white and black causing more separation. Governments should do this for public colleges only INCLUDING HBCU'S

 @B8D7KXV from Tennessee  answered…7mos7MO

I think they should reform the school systems in a way where College is implemented into the lower education levels.

 @B8C5NSP from Tennessee  answered…7mos7MO

Fully fun Community College for legal residence, tuition regulation on universities and lower interest rates for loans.

 @B8BDMZY  from Tennessee  answered…7mos7MO

Not completely pay. Lower interest rates for student loans. Provide more scholarship oppurnities for all types of students exept rich. Allow them to pay a little more, if qualified, grant scholarship.

 @B89KX75 from Tennessee  answered…7mos7MO

It’s a form of public education and should be funded without leaving graduates with debt to payback for 30+ years.

 @B88NFL4 from Tennessee  answered…7mos7MO

I feel like they should provide some tuition money, not all of the tuition money, for those who financially can't attend a specific college they would prefer to go to.

 @B7WKRW8 from Tennessee  answered…8mos8MO

Yes, if economically possible. Assuming that it is not, they should still relieve student loan debt.

 @B7W4TJW from Tennessee  answered…8mos8MO

They could have some scholarships where they will pay for the entire 4 year of that person education.

 @B7S76PR from Tennessee  answered…8mos8MO

I think that the federal government should pay for tuition only for degrees that are in high demand.

 @B7J8C26Independent from Tennessee  answered…9mos9MO

yes if they make everyone do 12 years of school why not let us reach our full potential since they want us to succeed so badly

 @B7GPXST from Tennessee  answered…9mos9MO

it's a good opportunity for those who want to attend college, but not good for those this didn't haa\ve the opportunity before.

 @B732676 from Tennessee  answered…9mos9MO

Universities should offer better education and more affordable tuition. Universities have too much money in my opinion

 @B6VC8JQ from Tennessee  answered…9mos9MO

No, but proviude lower interest rates for student loans and more scholarship opportunities for low-income students

 @B6S23ZN from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

no. mandate that any higher education institution that receives federal grants can charge no more than 5,000$ of tuition a semester, to students whose family's make more than 200,000$ a year, and 1,000$ to those who make less than 200,000$ a year.

 @B6QGJLK from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

I think we should have more scholarships and lower tuition but we should be the ones who pay because we want to get more 4 years of learning

 @B6QBRC2 from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

No, but simultaneously lower interest rates for student loans AND provide more scholarship and grant opportunities to low-income students.

 @B6MNNVP from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

Neither, depends on what they are going for. It also depends on how great they've been throughout school in their life.

 @B6LGQ9N from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

If the human being(other things included) deserve it then yes but tuition should be earned and not just given.

 @B6J7MD9 from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

lower interest rate and more scholarship for low income and merit based and make it more affordable in general

 @B6HQBSG from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

Yes but only if the person if willing enough to put forth the effort in working hard enough to graduate without barley graduating

 @B6GFGMQ from Tennessee  answered…10mos10MO

they should pay for the first two years because those are the ones that are the same at every collage.

 @B6DRWFX from Tennessee  answered…11mos11MO

I would ask the businesses to pay their fair share on teh education. after all that is where the workforce and education is needed.

 @B65NSMN from Tennessee  answered…11mos11MO

No, but provide more grants and scholarships and regulate the cost of public universities and student loan interest rates.

 @B65KN3KDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…11mos11MO

Yes, but only for public universities. The income tax should be redirected to this specific cause, and private universities should be required to not enforce an interest rate on student loans in order to charge tuition to students.

 @B4NFM46 from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

Sorta, make it a regressive rate where the lowest income students get the most and the wealthiest students get the least

 @B4KWSGH from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

Federal government should put a price cap on the amount of tuition fees that four-year colleges and universities charge

 @B4FWHY3 from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

Yes, only if the student applies to curriculum standard and parents dont make alot of money, $50,000 a year

 @B48QGFF from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

They should expand who the scholarships can go to so that middle class students can also afford college.

 @B375BHS from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

No but they should provide more opportunities and scholarships for low income students and they should lower interest rates for student loans

 @B2W43V3 from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

Yes but find ways to limit the cost of it in the first place. Limit gen Ed classes, provide more real world experience and training and educational internships with businesses. stress respect, community impact, and hard work ethic and prepare high school students more for the real world

 @B2LXWF4 from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

No, but reduce the cost that schools are allowed to charge. Students shouldn’t pay a premium for amenities they won’t use.

 @B2LJTW4 from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

Yes, but only for those who are low-income students who have met a standard GPA and other conditions such as a minimum amount of community service, to the school's judgment (3.0 or above, 150 hours, etc.)

 @B2CWBMJ from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

No, put a price cap on tuition prices as a condition for receipt of federal aid, paying for tuition doesn't stop the out-of-control prices

 @B2BYMPT from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

Tuition and schooling itself should be paid for, but residence, food, and supplies paid for by the student.

 @B2BQC6T from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

I don't think this question should be based off poor or rich.I think that if your grades are good enough and your GPA is high then the government should pay a part of your tuition.

 @B2BGKQN from Tennessee  answered…1yr1Y

it should pay for low-income students who actually need it and would not be able to attend their chosen school because they couldn't afford it

 @9ZXKYT9 from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

no, but lower interest rate significantly, punish predatory loaners severely, and provide more scholarship opportunity for everyone.

 @9YLWJ9Y from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

yes but you have to have a 2.5 GPA and sign a contract that you will stay in school for 4 years if you fail one of these then you should pay that money back to the government

 @9YJ5VNR from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

This one is a hard one, but I think there should be more colledge oppertuities for more lessfortunate people.

 @9YJ4FGD  from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Scholarships should be the primary way of receiving these funds. Yeah, let's have more available scholarships that can get you through school for free.

 @9YCT5NCDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only at state-or federally-funded universities. Private universities should not be covered.

 @9Y88LSRWomen’s Equality from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Student loans should be either abolished or come with no interest fees. University tuition should be lowered to the prices of community colleges, as a college degree is now not as much a luxury but a necessity.

 @9X6WW8L from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

This would depend on the apptitude of the student. In some cases where the student is potentially brillant, a genius or an asset to America, yes, pay for the education.

 @9X4BBKGDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Government needs to have more control on tuition costs but also more opportunities for affordable quality education and trade schools

 @9WYJPNN from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

It depends on both the financial situation of the citizen and the quality of the citizen's school work.

 @9WRW4GK from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but with requirements to maintain good standing and abide by institution rules and regulations.

 @9WP7MN4 from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Four-year colleges and universities should not require students to pay for classes that do not apply to their majors; some classes should be free if they are required.

 @9WJY6FS from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only at public universities for in-state students who received a certain GPA in high school.

 @9WDM23B from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes for public institutions, no for private, and interest rates should be lowered regardless, and there should be caps on how much universities can charge applicants of a lower-middle income tax bracket.

 @9W9RNCF from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

The government should cap what universities can pay and reduce current tuition that is out of control.

 @9W3LCJTRepublican from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

there needs to be a total economic rework in this corrupt nation this includes a total rework like just resetting the entire economy just burn a bunch of money and make it harder to get to increase the value of the dollar stop printing money and put it all back on the gold standard so it isn't just paper

 @9VZR3W6 from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

No and if the person would like a chance for tuition after taking out the loans then the amount of years it took the person to graduate college then they need to provide that many years working within a government agency such as DOD or other low paying agency

 @9VY5YBF from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

I think that colleges and universities should lower their tuition but not have the government pay that tuition. Instead just lower it to make it more reasonable to be able to get a degree.

 @9VWJZQ6 from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

The upfront cost of college is too high in the first place, and not all degrees are equal in terms of utility to society versus passion. STEM courses I would be more inclined to a greenlight on tuition having some coverage, but for degrees that are in the arts/humanities(more specifically things like dance majors or niche foreign history should be out of pocket.)

 @9VKYJ7Q from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

No but provide more scholarship opportunities for lower income students and lower interest rates for student loans

 @9VGN3M4 from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

I don't believe the federal government should pay for tuition. However, I do believe that states should pay for associate's degrees (much like the Tennessee Promise program). Students may then choose to attend a four-year program or enter the work force.

 @9V7D492 from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but make student loans easier to pay off by lowering interest rates, and give more opportunities for scholarships and more support for low-income students/areas.

 @9TTMP9B from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but there should be scholarship opportunities. And student loans should have lower interest rates

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

A Moment of Darkness': Washington Post's No-Endorsement Decision Ignites Media Firestorm

Even though the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is neck and neck, The Washington Post has decided not to make a presidential endorsement for the first time in 36 years, the publisher and CEO announced Friday."We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates," Will Lewis wrote in an opinion piece published on the paper's website. He referenced the paper's policy in the decades prior to 1976, when, following the Watergate scandal that the Post broke, it endorsed Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter. The last time the Post did not endorse a presidential candidate in the general election was 1988, according to a search of its archives.Colleagues learned the news from the editorial page editor, David Shipley, at a tense meeting shortly before Lewis' announcement. The meeting was characterized by someone with direct knowledge of discussions on condition of anonymity to speak about internal matters.Shipley said that he told other editorial board leaders Thursday by management that there would be no endorsement, though he has known for weeks. He added that he "owns" this decision. The reason he cited was to create "independent space" where the newspaper does not tell people for whom to vote.Colleagues were said to be "shocked" and uniformly negative. Post corporate spokespeople have not responded to multiple messages left by NPR on the subject.Former Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron, who led the newsroom to acclaim during Trump's presidency, denounced the decision starkly."This is cowardice, a moment of darkness that will leave democracy as a casualty," Baron said in a statement to NPR. "Donald Trump will celebrate this as an invitation to further intimidate The Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos (and other media owners). History will mark a disturbing chapter of spinelessness at an institution famed for courage."A similar decision by Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong led this week to the resignations of the paper's editorials editor and two editorial board members. Soon-Shiong said that he had asked the editorial board to draft a "factual analysis" of Trump and Harris' policies and plans. In her resignation letter, editorials editor Mariel Garza said the decision made the paper look “craven and hypocritical,” given its past reporting and editorials on Trump.

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