Anonymous wrote:Is college even worth it anymore.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BBB is limiting loans for undergraduate and graduate schools. Private college tuition is probably going to be 100k by the time my kid(s) go to college.

Go to state school or community college.

It's not rocket science here.

For most Americans, state schools are not within reach without financial aid.

Yes, and need-based financial aid is NOT going away. Pell grants still exist. Merit awards still exist. Your child can still take out $27,000 in student loans over 4 years. That did not change. Parents can still take out $65,000 max in Parent Plus loans. That is $92,000 in federal loans you still have access to for an undergraduate degree. If needed private loans are still available. Students can work summer jobs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would like to see some new ideas.

here's mine:

An 15-month paid service program that is available to high school graduates and begins right after high school graduation. You complete a survey and you're matched to a service site.

A mash-up between peace corps, jesuit volunteer corps, and the military.

Expenses are covered, youre given a small stipend, but you're paid out at the end. About 40k. Maybe it's only a voucher for college tuition so your family doesnt take it? That money is sheltered from FAFSA/CSS calculations.

Kids would be better off with the experience, and working with kids from all doing things like cleaning up NC hurricane damage with Habitat. Learn how to tile or drywall. (habitat taught me how to tile!)

Maybe you could do 3, 5-month stints. See parts of America. Every 4th grader could have a 1-1 tutor for a few weeks boosting literacy skills. Work in a farm or seasonal restaurants or small businesses. Young adult could discern career interests. Feel better about America.

And that money plus these lower loans should cover a 4 year public school in total

I totally agree with this. I think it should be a year for year match, covering all costs at a student's own state school, including room board fees etc. Do American service work for four years, then get a voucher for a college education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well colleges and universities need students to survive. So if the cost becomes out of reach for more students, then those schools will either close or find a way to make it more affordable.

I am a Dem but I am actually okay with this because the increase in loan amounts has led directly to higher tuition costs. Schools consistently just move the cost of attendance to take advantage of loan availability -- it's like free money to them. And they don't spend the money on quality teaching or better educational opportunities -- they spend it on administrator salaries and non-educational amenities (dining halls, fitness centers, etc.). That's where the cost spiral is coming from.

I'd like to see more commuter colleges, more part time programs, more programs that feed directly into apprenticeships. Obama actually tried to push higher ed in this direction and he got criticized and it never got off the ground. But he was right. We don't need more people borrowing money to obtain degrees that don't lead to jobs and financial stability. That only benefits college presidents who want nicer homes and fancier vacations. We need a system that actually prepares people for jobs, and creates economic opportunity at all levels. That's not going to happen under the current system, which sucks.

Rolling back the blank check our student loan system has been writing to colleges is the first step. Now we need to incentivize more cost-effective, job-focused programs. We should look to Europe for this. When Dems are in power in again, we should be looking to create pilot programs for shorter, degree-granting institutions located near commuting hubs that could be free or almost free. This is the future.

And you need to start thinking more expansively about what college will look like for your kids, and whether they will truly be served by a classic, 4-yr program at a liberal arts college. Those will still be around and there will be ways to make them affordable, but you need to ask if it's truly right for your kids. It really does not serve everyone well.

+1 College costs have spiraled out of control largely due to the ability for people to take out hefty loans. Remember the complaining about student loans and demanding the government forgive them? That's not a sustainable - or fair - system.

Anonymous wrote:Well colleges and universities need students to survive. So if the cost becomes out of reach for more students, then those schools will either close or find a way to make it more affordable.

I am a Dem but I am actually okay with this because the increase in loan amounts has led directly to higher tuition costs. Schools consistently just move the cost of attendance to take advantage of loan availability -- it's like free money to them. And they don't spend the money on quality teaching or better educational opportunities -- they spend it on administrator salaries and non-educational amenities (dining halls, fitness centers, etc.). That's where the cost spiral is coming from.

I'd like to see more commuter colleges, more part time programs, more programs that feed directly into apprenticeships. Obama actually tried to push higher ed in this direction and he got criticized and it never got off the ground. But he was right. We don't need more people borrowing money to obtain degrees that don't lead to jobs and financial stability. That only benefits college presidents who want nicer homes and fancier vacations. We need a system that actually prepares people for jobs, and creates economic opportunity at all levels. That's not going to happen under the current system, which sucks.

Rolling back the blank check our student loan system has been writing to colleges is the first step. Now we need to incentivize more cost-effective, job-focused programs. We should look to Europe for this. When Dems are in power in again, we should be looking to create pilot programs for shorter, degree-granting institutions located near commuting hubs that could be free or almost free. This is the future.

And you need to start thinking more expansively about what college will look like for your kids, and whether they will truly be served by a classic, 4-yr program at a liberal arts college. Those will still be around and there will be ways to make them affordable, but you need to ask if it's truly right for your kids. It really does not serve everyone well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BBB is limiting loans for undergraduate and graduate schools. Private college tuition is probably going to be 100k by the time my kid(s) go to college.

Go to state school or community college.

It's not rocket science here.

For most Americans, state schools are not within reach without financial aid.