Posted on 09/18/2019 7:53:39 AM PDT by karpov
ALBUQUERQUE — In one of the boldest state-led efforts to expand access to higher education, New Mexico is unveiling a plan on Wednesday to make tuition at its public colleges and universities free for all state residents, regardless of family income.
The move comes as many American families grapple with the rising cost of higher education and as discussions about free public college gain momentum in state legislatures and on the presidential debate stage. Nearly half of the states, including New York, Oregon and Tennessee, have guaranteed free two- or four-year public college to some students. But the New Mexico proposal goes further, promising four years of tuition even to students whose families can afford to pay the sticker price.
The program, which is expected to be formally announced by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday and still requires legislative approval, would apply to all 29 of the state’s two- and four-year public institutions. Long one of the poorest states in the country, New Mexico plans to use climbing revenues from oil production to pay for much of the costs.
Some education experts, presidential candidates and policymakers consider universal free college to be a squandering of scarce public dollars, which might be better spent offering more support to the neediest students.
But others say college costs have become too overwhelming and hail the many drives toward free tuition.
“I think we’re at a watershed moment,” said Caitlin Zaloom, a cultural anthropologist at New York University who has researched the impact of college costs on families. “It used to be that a high school degree could allow a young adult to enter into the middle class. We are no longer in that situation. We don’t ask people to pay for fifth grade ...”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Turning America socialist...one state at a time.
Free, and worth every penny.
“free”...
And some of the people will be fooled all the time.
When the “family pays”? Hardly, the only time a person really studies their butt off, is when THEY are paying for it, and not with Gubmint debt either.
Higher education today is for one, totally worthless and grossly overpriced, but secondly it’s bankrupting people for their eternity through the accumulation of easy to get, hard to get rid of student loans.
My 21 yr old has been bombarded by credit card offers and such ever since she turned 18. I assume they figure I’ll pick up the tab, or Grandma will when said teen gets into too much debt. Not on my watch...
Not paying for it will free them from those pressures. Studying, learning...that’s s lot to deal with.
A friend’s brother went to NMSU. Enena Zoo was what he called it. I’m sure that having students of diverse economic backgrounds will enhance the learning experience of all.
They pay for it when/if they get a Real Job
Since it will be free, it will be over-subscribed.
I wonder what the political requirements for admission will be.
Texas is working toward free tuition as well.
When will I be receiving a refund for paying for my and our children’s college expenses? I still haven’t received that phone obamy promised or free housing or free health care.
If the Democrats win in 2020, all of that oil revenue will be shut down.
Free. College personnel work as volunteers.
Who pays to expand the infrastructure and footprints of the higher learning institutions once an influx of potential new students apply for free admission ? It is just common sense that thousands of additional applicants will want seats in the now “no cost” classrooms and there is not room for all of them right now. Besides classes what about expanded library, lab, dining and residential facilities ?
Free college would become a baby sitting club of fools. New Mexico will go broke as they are damn well now.
Who wants to work in New Mexico. so what good is it when the graduates leave the State, and other States reap the benefit?
Expect an explosion of near worthless liberal arts BAs looking for bartending jobs.
When I was at UNT (Denton Texas) in the 1980’s state tuition was $4.00 per hour and with student fees, the total tuition for an “In State” student was about $500 to $700 per semester depending upon laps and other student use fees.
At the time Texas out-of-state tuition was cheaper than many in-state tuition costs for small upper midwest places. So there were a fair number of students in Denton from Wyoming, North and South Dakota and Nebraska.
THe issue is to control the cost and maintain standards.
That’s where my son is going to school.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.