I have seen more articles on why college should not be free than I can count on all my fingers and toes. I have seen every reason from not wanting taxes to increase, that college is a privilege, and that dropout rates throughout the country show that students won’t take advantage of the free education offered to them. (Fun fact about dropouts, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the national dropout rate continues to decrease.)
As a student who has worked her butt off all four years of high school, most of the arguments I have seen should fall in my favor, but they don’t. I took AP classes and started working toward my college degree while still in high school, so by the standards set by many of the people opposed to free education I should be showered in scholarships and graduate debt free. That’s not the case.
I will be swimming in a pool of debt, about $50,000, when I graduate. I’m not taking nine years to graduate. I didn’t get bad grades and screw around in high school. I applied for every scholarship I could get my hands on and still do while I’m in college.
I went to college and high school at the same time. I worked multiple jobs and volunteered. I was part of National Honor Society and Student Council. Any other activity I could squeeze into my schedule, I did. I still was not offered scholarships to my school of choice. Michigan State was one of the best decisions I made even if it will cost me an arm, a leg, and half my soul to repay, but what if I didn’t have to?
My enrollment in a middle college offered me the chance to experience what it was like to have free college offered to me. From tuition to books, everything was covered. With the help from the three advisors, I was able to decide on a field and start my education. That process saved me a crippling $27,000 at Michigan State.
I would like to think that with free education we would have a more informed society. The possibility of university without that shadow of debt following you around is a very enticing idea. The universities and colleges would have to hold themselves to a higher standard, but it is likely that many people would put in the work to get where they want to go to school. Maybe dropout rates will decrease faster. Who knows?
Personally, I’ll meet in the middle. Make college more affordable and I’ll be happy. What would you support?
