A significant majority of Americans (over 60%) believe the government should pay for or heavily subsidize public higher education to improve affordability and access, notes this NORC report. Proponents argue it reduces student debt, promotes economic mobility, and strengthens the workforce. Opponents cite concerns over higher taxes, potential devaluation of degrees, and strain on public funds.
Federal funding significantly impacts not only colleges but also society. These funds are used to drive research and innovation, support underserved communities, enhance educational outcomes, and support national interests.
Why is the right to education fundamental? Both individuals and society benefit from the right to education. It is fundamental for human, social, and economic development and a key element to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development.
The median middle-class student pays around $2,000 in tuition, and higher-income families pay more. Making college free would therefore require spending more taxpayer dollars on wealthier households, since those families pay the most tuition currently. College is already free for many low-income students.
Each year, Americans make a sizable investment in higher education through federal, state and local taxes. Do the results justify the investment? Absolutely! Research proves college grads are assets to our communities and our country.
In general, the “pros” of free are: having better access to education, the elimination of student debt, increased graduation rates, and an opportunity to explore your passions/interests. The “cons” include: overcrowding, wasted opportunities, and money.
Who Would Benefit Most from Free College?
It was not free at private universities or in most other states. However even back then college was much more affordable because of investment by state and federal government. My grandfather went to Ohio State in the mid 1950s on the GI bill. Tuition was $100 a semester.
For three-quarters of a century, the federal government has awarded grants and contracts to Harvard and other universities to help pay for work that, along with investments by the universities themselves, has led to groundbreaking innovations across a wide range of medical, engineering, and scientific fields.
There is no income that is too high to file a FAFSA. No matter how much you make, you can always submit a FAFSA. Eligibility for need-based financial aid increases as the cost of attendance increases, so even a wealthy student might qualify for financial aid at a higher-cost college.
If a 529 plan isn't used for college, you have several options, including changing the beneficiary to a family member, rolling over funds to a Roth IRA (up to $35k lifetime limit), paying off student loans (up to $10k), using it for apprenticeships or K-12 tuition, keeping it for future education, or taking a non-qualified withdrawal, which incurs income tax and a 10% penalty on earnings. The best choice depends on your goals, but options like Roth IRA rollovers and beneficiary changes avoid taxes and penalties.
Yes, Harvard offers free tuition for families with incomes up to $200,000 annually, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with full costs covered for incomes under $100,000, including tuition, room, board, and fees, plus additional grants for expenses like travel and supplies. This expansion makes Harvard significantly more affordable for many middle-income families, with aid tailored to individual financial situations beyond just income, considering assets as well.
Free college leads to greater completion rates, which would result in a more educated population. We know college degrees benefit individuals. Earning a degree can result in as much as a 25% wage increase within a year of graduating. College graduates earn almost twice as much annually as high school graduates.
19% of surveyed students dropped out, with financial uncertainty cited as the leading cause. 59% of students considered dropping out due to financial stress. Only 21% of students surveyed said they were incredibly confident they understood the details of their financial aid offer letter.
While the concept of out-of-class study existed in ancient Rome, the modern idea of structured homework is often linked to 19th-century educators like Italian Roberto Nevilis (sometimes cited inaccurately as its inventor around 1905) or American reformer Horace Mann, who promoted it to extend learning, develop discipline, reinforce lessons, and foster independent skills, though early versions were sometimes used as punishment or to ensure kids helped with chores. Homework's purpose evolved from rote practice to building critical thinking, time management, and responsibility, though it remains a debated practice with criticisms like increased stress.
Because of this, parents who did wish their daughters to attend boarding school put a great deal of time and effort into choosing the right one. Most girls, however, were taught either in a schoolroom at home, at day schools, or later in the century by governesses.
No, Taylor Swift did not go to a traditional four-year college; she focused on her music career after starting high school, completing her education through homeschooling to accommodate touring and graduated early, but she did receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University (NYU) in 2022.