Or, just make state and community college free, like it is in most civilized countries
Thank you! Unfortunately we have been marching in the opposite direction for the past fifteen years. As other sources of funding fail to keep up with increasing costs, student tuition has skyrocketed to help schools make up the difference. Since this also means hiring fewer and less qualified staff and cutting programs, students are getting a worse product at greater personal cost with every passing year.
I checked yesterday to see how much the tuition was at our local technical college. It's 100 dollars a credit. I guess that's very affordable if one chooses a program that prepares them for a career that has the potential to earn a decent salary. If one has to borrow the money to get them the two year degree, their loan would be far less than the average new car loan, which is usually paid off in 4 to 6 years. Of course it would be good if two year colleges were free or less expensive, like perhaps 25 dollars per credit hour.
The college near me offers many non degree programs like truck driving, a large variety of medical tech skills, plumbing, electrician, a variety of IT tech certificates etc. I think young people need to consider what they want or can do for the rest of their lives to earn a decent salary. Plumbers, electricians, and many other careers that don't require a four year degree are extremely important, and with so many people retiring from those occupations, we will need a lot more.
I wish Americans would realize how valuable these people are. Perhaps more people would enter fields like that instead of being pushed to achieve a lib arts or business degree that might help one develop intellectually, but won't qualify you for a good job in the world that we live in now. Plus, with the internet and free non credit online courses, one can easily develop their knowledge in those areas, if that's what they want.
When I lived in NC during the 80s, I had a neighbor who had a four year degree. He didn't like his work, so he went back to school to become a plumber and then started up his own business. Americans need to appreciate all of these skilled occupations that don't require a 4 year degree. I'm sure there are plenty of people with advanced degrees who don't know how to fix a broken water pipe, repair their washing machine, or change out the electrical outlets in their homes. My point is that college has been pushed on lots of young people who might prefer to do work that only requires a certificate, a two year degree or an internship. There are so many who start college, only to drop out during the first semester. I know I'm going off topic, but it's always bothered me how some liberals with degrees look down on professions that don't require as much formal schooling.
I also wish that vocational programs had not been taken out of high schools. Back in the day, a high school student could graduate with enough courses to become LPNs, cosmetologists, plumbers, etc. I wonder if there's a high school left in the country that still offers vocational training. It seems as if all of those occupations now require community college. One can always go back to college at any point, if they want to change their line of work. My own sister was a high school grad, who decided to go to college when she was in. her late 30s. She obtained two degrees in late 30s and early 40s.
I'm fairly neutral on how much the government should help student loan debt, but I think there are many far more important issues right now. I would prefer that loan forgiveness be done on a case by case basis. I think it would be better to give forgiveness in return for some type of government service or by agreeing to work in an area where your skills are badly needed. Hardship cases should also get help as well as those who were scammed into paying high tuition for schools that don't give them the skills to get a decent job. I've yet to find an adult who doesn't have any loan debt who supports loan forgiveness for everyone. As far as the future goes, it would be great if community and stage colleges were more affordable. The total cost of loan forgiveness needs to be carefully analyzed before any big promises are made. Schools don't have to be free, but they should be affordable.
Most of my friends are Democrats who never went to college and they resent the loan forgiveness for all. I've come to think that it's not popular enough to happen. It seems to be a very divisive issue. There must be a way to compromise and help those most in need while expecting those who have very successful careers to continue to pay off their debt. I strongly support lowering the interest rates to close to zero. Why doesn't the government start from there? That would help a lot. Even in my day, loans were expected to take at about 10 years before they were paid off. If the interest rates were very low, most loans could easily be paid off within 15 years. Imo, compromise is how things get done. If only both sides of the aisle were willing to work together.