We are hearing more and more about the idea of “free college” and how such programs implemented by state or federal government could alleviate mounds of debt and connect low-income families with pathways to college.
We are hearing more and more about the idea of “free college” and how such programs implemented by state or federal government could alleviate mounds of debt and connect low-income families with pathways to college.
According to The Education Trust, which recently released a new report examining free college programs, 42 percent of Americans surveyed said college degrees aren’t worth pursuing due to the rising costs and therefore student debt.
Ed Trust shares that policymakers are now considering and implementing free college programs in states across the U.S. to address concerns about college affordability and make college more attainable to align with the needs of our changing workforce.
However, Ed Trust's report shows there’s more refinement needed to such programs to ensure they are considering low-income families and students of color who disproportionately face more barriers to attaining higher education.
The report provides a framework of equitable design criteria for free college programs.
Ed Trust’s recommendations include:
Programs should help cover costs beyond tuition for low-income students. The most equitable approach would be to offer “first dollar” aid which ensures funding levels aren’t reduced due to other aid the individual may be receiving, such as a Pell Grant.
Such programs should cover the cost of program fees and tuition for at least four years of college. Limiting a program to only cover tuition does not equitably support low-income students.
Programs should include benefits for adults and returning students, instead of limiting the eligibility to recent high school graduates.
Programs shouldn’t have a GPA requirement above 2.0, which is what’s needed to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid.
Programs shouldn’t impose enrollment intensity or credit accumulation requirements because it can limit access to older students and others who may benefit the most from a free college program.
The program should not require repayment of aid.
In Ed Trust’s analysis of the 15 active free college programs already in place throughout the country none meet all the report’s criteria for equitable design.
Ed Trust reports that out of the 31 total programs (active and proposed) they analyzed, they “aren’t inherently equitable.”
Our neighbor to the south, Indiana, is the only Midwest state with a free college program currently in place. Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars meets all but two recommended criteria by Ed Trust.
Ed Trust writes, “Part of the reason that no state met all of our equity criteria is that free college programs are a major financial undertaking. It is difficult for states to cover tuition and fees for all, as well as the total cost of attendance for all low-income students. But this is why equity advocates should push for approaches that provide additional resources to states for free college programs, possibly from the federal government.”
In Michigan, there’s no state-level free college program in the works but philanthropy continues to leverage partnerships and collaboration to connect students with opportunities.
For instance, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s Complete Your Degree Program (CYD), in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, is an innovative scholarship model which focuses on supporting students beyond tuition. CYD provides support for books, supplies and short-term expenses that may include transportation, food, medical care, child care and housing.
Want more?
Be sure to check out several breakout sessions and a main stage conversation you don’t want to miss focusing on education in Michigan at CMF’s 46th Annual Conference, Oct. 7-9 in Grand Rapids.
