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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEducationStarted 7yrs agoActive 2hrs ago1 here now

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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55.6k Replies

 @97YJWF6Democrat from Massachusetts  answered…4yrs4Y

Decrease tuition

 @9M6RVGGDemocrat from Ohio  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but there have to be incentives (e.g. higher grades = paying for tuition, and agreeing to increase state's GDP by accepting job post graduation in the state).

 @8NTTD4FDemocrat from Vermont  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes for low income Individuals

 @8KGYFCRDemocrat from Washington  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but only for partial tuition and more scholarship opportunities for low-income families.

 @8HJGRDJDemocrat from Georgia  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but only for partial tuition for low income students.

 @968SZZFDemocrat from California  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but only for public universities or community colleges

 @8LRNWQ3Democrat from California  answered…6yrs6Y

No, but colleges should be more affordable.

 @9D4PZNG from Connecticut  answered…3yrs3Y

The government should make student loans dischargeable during bankruptcy and let the higher education market correct itself.

 @7PTCG38Democrat from Wisconsin  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only for partial tuition that is based on a set percentage according to pre-determined income brackets

 @99QCXDWDemocrat from Kansas  answered…3yrs3Y

yes but for low income households

 @7PTCG38Democrat from Wisconsin  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but as a percentage of tuition that corresponds with predetermined income brackets

 @97KBRY4Democrat from Connecticut  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but make community colleges and vocational schools tuition free.

 @97HJRYBDemocrat from Alabama  answered…4yrs4Y

Tuition shouldn’t be as high as it is

 @96P2JSSDemocrat from Wisconsin  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but only for public non-profit schools.

 @95PR2PCDemocrat from Texas  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but mainly for STEM fields.

 @95PHW68 from Virginia  answered…4yrs4Y

No, tuition should be free

 @93DSGQ3Democrat from Delaware  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes if they graduate

 @8Y5MR3L from Nevada  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, only if a degree is obtained

 @TatewakiKunoDemocrat from Louisiana  answered…5yrs5Y

No, but they should pay for tuition at two-year colleges and universities.

 @8S3CH2WDemocrat from Georgia  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes but only for students who come from low income families

 @8QCBK9GDemocrat from Virginia  answered…5yrs5Y

There shouldn't be tuition

 @8PVM8KKDemocrat from Florida  answered…5yrs5Y

yes, and provide scholarships for low income students

 @8N46Z9JDemocrat from Michigan  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, in some cases

 @8MK9XQV from New York  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, pay for partial tuition and provide lower interest rates for student loans

 @8JQYTKCDemocrat from Minnesota  answered…6yrs6Y

They should pay for some of it

 @8JL3F6YDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but only for community and state colleges.

 @8H754TNDemocrat from Massachusetts  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but only to public schools.

 @8F8JSC5Democrat from Pennsylvania  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, if they meet certain requirements

 @8CJWXW7Democrat from Missouri  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes except for private universities.

 @BDXJYWRDemocrat from Wisconsin  answered…1wk1W

Yes, along with the state governments

 @BDWGZ5HDemocrat from California  answered…2wks2W

Only for top students in needed fields of study that benefit the public

 @BDW6VZMDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…2wks2W

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

 @BDVNH95 from Texas  answered…2wks2W

No, but have lower interest rates for students loans and provide more tuition aid and higher education opportunities for low-income students.

 @BDS3GC5 from California  answered…3wks3W

Yes, but depending on the income of the student.. Lower income students should have more benefits to be able to school. Middle income should have lower interest rates for student loans though!

 @BDRQX3D from New Hampshire  answered…3wks3W

No, there should be laws in place to regulate how tuition at four-year colleges is decided. To limit it from becoming too much, to give all a fairer chance at attending college.

 @BDQP7C9Democrat from California  answered…3wks3W

No, but place limits on universities and colleges on tuition rates.

 @BDP69X4Democrat from California  answered…4wks4W

It depends on the individual and their families' income

 @BDNSCJRDemocrat from Oregon  answered…4wks4W

States need to invest in our public universities.

 @BDMHMDTDemocrat from California  answered…4wks4W

they should offer finatiol aid

 @Historyguy00  from Kentucky  answered…4wks4W

Yes, but only for degree programs that have a shortage of jobs, but pay for all trade schools and technical training

 @BDLCYVMDemocrat from Washington  answered…1mo1MO

In consideration with the overall trend of rising college/university tuition costs, there must be a certain degree of cooperation with colleges/universities and federal and state governments to lower costs. As to what is unknown as of now.

 @BDL7237Democrat from Washington  answered…1mo1MO

Yes, but make it to a set amount proportional to the financial situation.

 @BDKYFVKDemocrat from Pennsylvania  answered…1mo1MO

They should pay for the first 2 years at at community colledge

 @BDKRD2SDemocrat from Iowa  answered…1mo1MO

Yes, especially for those who need it most, given their financial situation.

 @BDK8LD3Democrat from Pennsylvania  answered…1mo1MO

I think that it would be better if the university tuition just didn't cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to begin with. It would be nice if both the state and federal government contributed to sending people through school.

 @BDJ6R83Democrat  from Pennsylvania  answered…1mo1MO

No, but they should pressure the institutions to lower their tuition.

 @BDH36YCDemocrat from Connecticut  answered…1mo1MO

The government should do more to help those struggling financially. There are so many families who fall through the cracks because they don't make enough money to afford college without help, but make too much money to qualify for certain financial aid.

 @BDF26MH from Michigan  answered…1mo1MO

The federal government should incentivize and subsidize states to do so.

 @BDDH5PM from Alabama  answered…1mo1MO

Yes its the FAFSA its so good don't get rid of it trump pls.

 @BDBKMX5Socialist from Oregon  answered…1mo1MO

Not in total on its own, grants and scholarships also benefit this, but we should also give more scholarship opportunities for low-income students and lower interest rates on student loans.

 @BD9SD79Democrat from Washington  answered…1mo1MO

No, but they should make college cheaper, along with everything else.

 @BD7PD2FDemocrat from Wisconsin  answered…2mos2MO

I think the federal government should both subsidize and work to make for your college more affordable.

 @BD72TWRDemocrat from New Jersey  answered…2mos2MO

provide more scholarships and more lower interest rates for middle and lower class

 @BD5VM3YDemocrat from Illinois  answered…2mos2MO

Student loans should be interest free and bankruptcy should alleviate burden.

 @BD4Z8BRDemocrat from New York  answered…2mos2MO

College should be more affordable for all students, seeing as education is valued so highly in the United States, and of course other countries. Everyone should have equal education access; money shouldn't be deciding factor for whether a person pursues higher education.

 @BD4NYT3 from Georgia  answered…2mos2MO

Depending on the chances of graduation, and pursuing higher education.

 @BD2G3DGDemocrat from Indiana  answered…2mos2MO

No, but more funding and tax money should go into making college more affordable, especially reducing tuition fees for out-of-state and international students & making a desired education more attainable for all.

 @BCY5FLCDemocrat from Utah  answered…2mos2MO

Provide tuition free classes and training at the community college level and offer scholarships and FAFSA to four-year colleges

 @BCXSR7SDemocrat from California  answered…2mos2MO

Free community college/limited help

 @BCX5XHJDemocrat from Ohio  answered…2mos2MO

Partially, but possibly implement a grade based reimbursement.

 @BCX3Z2LDemocrat from Minnesota  answered…2mos2MO

yes I do believe the federal governtment should pay for all for years but those who are wealthy should have to pay the whole tuition.

 @BCWWXX2  from Illinois  answered…2mos2MO

Partial (income-based)

 @BCWLZJJDemocrat from Virginia  answered…2mos2MO

No, but interest rates should be removed for student loans

 @BCWDG24Democrat from South Carolina  answered…2mos2MO

Subsidize based on income, not universal.

 @BCW3LVQDemocrat from Texas  answered…2mos2MO

Depends on the situation if they wish to help us

 @BCVR4KPDemocrat from Kentucky  answered…2mos2MO

yes but only for people who know what they want and are determined

 @BCTW3BJ from Texas  answered…2mos2MO

Tuition should be lower and there should be a cap.

 @BCTF95RDemocrat from Michigan  answered…2mos2MO

provide more scholarship opportunities, and make it easier to pay for college.

 @BCS6QVMDemocrat from Texas  answered…2mos2MO

More merit scholarships

 @BCPYPGMDemocrat from Georgia  answered…2mos2MO

Yes and No, I think that academic's should be the deciding factor and financial opportunities.

 @BCPKD84Democrat from Minnesota  answered…2mos2MO

Yes help students with moderate wealth with partial tuition and provide scholarships and oppertunities for low income students

 @BCPHSK2Democrat from Pennsylvania  answered…2mos2MO

Only partial tuition for people who can't fully cover it, and lower interest rates and make more scholarships available.

 @BCP8L59Democrat from Michigan  answered…2mos2MO

yes, but just the people who really need that.

 @BCNV2YPDemocrat from Missouri  answered…2mos2MO

No, but I think the states should be allowed to decide on a cap on loan interest rates.

 @BCNDL4VDemocrat  from Utah  answered…2mos2MO

No, but tuition regulation is much needed.

 @BCN95SLDemocrat from Kentucky  answered…2mos2MO

No, but the government should regulate university tuition rates.

 @BCMZFJMDemocrat from Minnesota  answered…2mos2MO

For students whose parents are already doing well and can pay college tuition the government should not be eligible to pay for tuition at most maybe small bits. But if students parents or themselves cannot pay full college tuitions the government should help in paying for that.

 @B25L5GNDemocrat  from Texas  answered…4mos4MO

Provide robust public support, eliminate interest, cap tuition growth, and expand grants; full universal tuition may be phased according to fiscal prudence.

 @B2274GF  from Kentucky  answered…8mos8MO

Yes, but only for those who are are (at the time of attending school) within the federal poverty level and do not have a combined household member(s) or personal savings or owned assets above the value of $60,000.

 @9WXG3RT  from Pennsylvania  answered…12mos12MO

No, but provide extra money to states based off their amount of college students that they can use to pay for tuition, provide scholarships to students of all incomes, provide directly to colleges to reduce prices, etc.

 @7PTCG38Democrat  from Wisconsin  answered…1yr1Y

Yes, for partial tuition, but also expand scholarship opportunities and financial aid, and lower interest rates for student loans

 @HaruJPDemocrat from Maine  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but tuition is too high and needs to be lowered and provide lower interest rates for student loans

 @9ZH36Q7Democrat from New York  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe that schools & universities should have lower prices and the government should provide more money toward helping students pay for higher education

 @9ZDLHFTDemocrat  from California  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes but once students graduate and establish employment 3% of their gross salary should delegated to a government education fund for first 4yrs of their employment. Nothing thereafter.

 @9ZBGMV6Democrat from New Mexico  answered…2yrs2Y

No but make more opportunities for students to gain scholarships. Not just for low income students, but for all students.

 @9YHXSNDDemocrat from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

Provide students with more scholarship opportunities, and if they can pay for more low-income students, that would be great.

 @9YF3KJBDemocrat from California  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes but only to those that cannot afford it and via merit have achieved a minimum qualifying grade point average

 @9YCT5NCDemocrat from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

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

 @9YCJJ67Democrat from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

i feel it depends, those who do well in school or with what hey have and genuinly cant afford a higher education should be given that opurtunity. so i kind of agree with no, and providing more scholarships, but also yes

 @9Y8GK2D from Arizona  answered…2yrs2Y

The federal government should not pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities but it should provide more financial aid for low-income students

 @9Y78BHKDemocrat from North Carolina  answered…2yrs2Y

Increase subsides to public colleges to lower tuition rates, decrease interest rates to a max of 3 - 4% and allow loan defaults as part of bankruptcy since students usually not savvy enough to understand the debit they are getting into by taking on loans.

 @9Y6J4BYDemocrat from Michigan  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only for public colleges and universities, and given students meet academic performance standards (e.g. minimal GPA level).

 @9Y347KGDemocrat from California  answered…2yrs2Y

Though the government paying for all four years would be ideal I don’t think it’s in the budget or the people would really want to pay the taxes to have free education so I think either they should pay for partial tuition or find a way to make tuition overall just a lot more accessible to everyone

 @9XVJBBHDemocrat from New Jersey  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but the government should provide less interest rates for student loans and provide more scholarship opportunities for students of low-income backgrounds.

 @9XTBJX4Democrat from Michigan  answered…2yrs2Y

I think we need lower interest rates and more scholarship opportunities. I also think that a main issue is that someone isn’t “poor enough” for government aid, which is dumb because sometimes people still need help.

 @9XQJG67Democrat from Washington  answered…2yrs2Y

Lower interest rates, provide more scholarships and provide partial tuition for students who need it

 @9XNK5Q2Democratfrom Maine  answered…2yrs2Y

The higher education should be free for all those who study well enough at school.. make every college reserve thousands of spots for excelling school students and make it illegal to just not get anyone because no one got good enough scores in the entire country. Stop relying on private ownership for education god damn it.

 @9XMN4JZDemocrat from North Carolina  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, for at least part of the cost. The rest could be supported through low-interest loans, increased scholarship opportunities for low-income students, and grants to grow emerging career paths. Additionally, public college costs should be more competitive.

 @9XM37X5Democrat from Missouri  answered…2yrs2Y

The government should make limits on tuition with a grading program and it should have to be incrased with inflation or clear improvements.

 @9XJQ377Democrat from Virginia  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only for students whose families make under a certain amount of money in relation to the tuition of the university

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