Obama’s college
proposal is undeniably an ambitious project with the great intention to promote
higher education. Affordability and access are both huge factors that push this
debate of free college, forward. Higher
education benefits our society in many aspects. As pointed out by Sara Goldrick,
these higher academic degrees mean, greater income for families, decrease in
unemployment, and provides us with better skilled workers. Someone with an
associate’s degree, will be compensated a higher salary, runs 25 percent less
chance of unemployment, and is better prepared with technical skills for the
job at hand. (Goldrick, 2016) Students state wide, deserve the opportunity to
study for desired degrees after high school. Tuition can often times be a
barrier between students and their academic goals, which is why we love our
community colleges. These two year institutions offer flexibility to those
lower income students, making college much more assessable. Katrina Trinko, a
member of USA TODAY’s board, shines light on the helping hand already given to
struggling individuals who would otherwise “have no other way to attend
college”. (Trinko, 2015) The reality of the matter is, Americans that find
themselves with the inability to pay tuition because of very low income,
already have government help to pay for college. However with this in mind, are
these families aware of the helps they qualify for? We take a closer look at a
program being used in Oklahoma State called, GEAR UP. This outstanding organization enrolls students
from early as eighth to tenth grade whose parents make less than 50,000 dollars
a year. GEAR UP does not only advise their students in the right direction for
financial services, but also provide assisted college planning to help them
build their education step by step. (Marin, 2005) Every student is different,
one may find themselves discouraged that the financial plan that works for a
friend, but does not work for them. The sooner students are listed options, the
faster they can decide the best path to their academic achievements. Planning ahead, sets students up for success.
Another exemplary organization used in this state is the Oklahoma Higher
Learning Access Program. In order for the students to be part of the financial
benefits, they are required to complete a 17 unit-core curriculum during high
school, attend class consistently, and demonstrate responsibility for school
work. Apart from this, refrain from drug consumption and obey the law. The
program even requires the students to attend programed activities intended to
seek other forms of financial aid and guide students through the process of
college enrollment. (Mendoza, 2009) In a sense, these students are paying from
college with their hard work. Programs like the ones mentioned reward students
for good conduct and discipline.
(Alex, 2016) Affordability and better access to college are still both strong key factors to these programs. But, in addition to that, more than promoting the importance of college and the free opportunity to attend, they promote better academic performance, prepare college ready students, leading them to a better future.
(Alex, 2016) Affordability and better access to college are still both strong key factors to these programs. But, in addition to that, more than promoting the importance of college and the free opportunity to attend, they promote better academic performance, prepare college ready students, leading them to a better future.
Low income and affluent students both deserve the chance to attend college
institutions in order to earn their degrees. Many would emphasis that free
community college means greater pursuit of academic certifications; and the
importance of serving everyone equal opportunities to reach these achievements.
Today, these achievements and certifications have become more important than
ever. Goldrick presents us with the changes and turns taken by the economy,
twelve years of primary education will no longer uphold you to middle class
living. The relatively high-paying jobs for high school grads in the years
1940’s through 70’s are far gone. (Goldrick, 2016) The call for associate
degrees are indisputable and stretches the urgency to find an efficient way to
encourage further education after high school. We take a closer look at Tennessee,
a state that follows Obamas proposal very closely and already has taken a head
start to open the doors for free community college this past year. Tennessee,
takes pride in the increase of enrollment rates thanks to this movement;
specially, the 70% of students from low income families, and 65% of which were
first in the family to attend college. Their records also indicate nearly 90%
of the high school graduates enrolled as a result of the program. (O’Brien,
2015) The numbers presented indicate how beneficial this initiative has been
for the state. It is clear that by taking away from the pressures of paying
tuition, many more students have taken the first step of registering for
college courses. Incapacity to keep up with payments, scams, and or falling
into debt are all fears that prevent students from pursuing a career. Antonio
Olivo, referred to this as a financial nightmare, one that leads many parents
to believe there is no way they can handle the cost of college. Long term debt
causes many to shy away and feel intimidated by college education, back in the
time when he was in college, just as much as it does now. (Olivo, 1998) Tuition
free college would be a solution to this dreaded aspect of debt and
unobtainable goals for the students and their guardians. It is clear this
solution would help students take the first step, but how do we assure that
these students finish the extra two years with an associate degree in hand.
Turning away from Obama’s proposal, is not to say we will turn away
from the students in need for higher education. Granting two free years of
community college will not bring the students nearly as much benefit as
investing in state organizations like OHLAP and GEAR UP. These programs do not
just focus on handing student the money for their courses, but prepares them
with knowledge and skills needed to better accomplish their academic goals.
Academic support, allows students to believe in themselves, aspire greatness. As
emphasized in the study by Pilar Mendoza, Jesse Mendez, and Zira Malcolm, from
the pell grants, the loans, and the state level initiatives like OHLAP, the
learning access program had the greatest impact on the student’s persistence.
Persistence being, the students drive to stay in school. These programs include
academic and disciplinary benchmarks. There was a push for challenging courses
that better prepared the students for college classes. Also encouraged students
to be responsible and stay out of trouble as well. (Mendoza 2009) Combing
need-based, merit-based, and mentoring for students is what gives this project
a leg over free community college. Florence king, the author of “Confessions of
a Failed Southern Lady” mentioned college in the time of the 50’s as almost a
trend for the women. They filled the
classroom seats because that was the expectation. (King, 2015) As important as
a postgraduate’s degree may be so someone in their future, college is not for
everyone. That being said, making free community college may initially fill seats
and classes all the way, but what percent of these students actually want to
make the honest commitment of two more years of school. Programs and
organizations that help guide the students in the right direction will inform
the individual enough so they can make the right decision for themselves and
even look into other options. There are hundreds of ways to pay for college and
students need to learn about the different routes as early as possible. The
ultimate scholarship book, written by Gen and Kelly Tanabe list websites that
offer scholarships for people of all interest, backgrounds, religious, etc.. Detailed
programs with scholarships for athletes, non-athletes, students interested in
the medical field, students interested in performing arts. Information for
every state is available, striates and programs that help you save for college,
even contest that you can enter to win tuition money. (Tanabe, 2013) The truth
is there are endless amounts of strategies available for students to pay for their
education after high school. The problem is not being well informed. Spreading
awareness off these approaches through state programs will make better use of
the funds available to students already. Thinking about college can be overwhelming for
young adults, but the sooner they are given options the more likely they are to
take initiative and work toward a solid objective.
It is in our best
interest to encourage that first step into college. However government handouts
is not the solution. As shown by the test scores of the public school system
and the Head Start preschool program, government spending and management doesn’t
correlate with success. (Trinko, 2015) Simply funding the students will not
assure their academic excellence and achievements. This movement may call to
the interest of many, but of the people that come running to take advantage of
this new opportunity, how many people will pull through the work? What will we
gain if 90% of high school graduates sign up for college, when only a fraction
of that actually finishes and receives a degree. Often times when we make
things too easy, there is little appreciation, at that point we will begin to
waste these government fuds. Much attention should be given to the progress and
preparation of the student for what they want to major in. This first step is
essential, forty percent of students who earn an associates, continue, and go
on to earn higher degrees. (Goldrick 2016) Getting students on the right track
early will continue to give positive results. This percentage is significantly
high and could continue to increase. State initiative programs that early on
help teach college bound scholars how to navigate through the financial aid
system, will be see a bigger result in those students who take on the tools
learned along the way.
Planning for community college can turn
into a nightmare without the right guidance. The high cost of tuition is of the
common reason students become discouraged and don’t make the initiative to
register. Students should be informed of the hundreds of ways there are to pay
college tuition. Better yet, find the options that best fit their personal
situation. Educating parents and students about this topic, helps take away
from the fear and anxiety of paying for these courses. This project is not
about filling classrooms with as many students as possible. It
is about opening doors of opportunities for those students who are ready,
driven, and committed to continuing their education after high school. The Guidelines and requirements for programs
like OHLAP, serve as not only financial help, but an incentive to work hard throughout
high school and work hard for set academic goals. The benefit of the student is
much greater than a free pass, investing in these programs will lead us to
greater achievements in the long run. Encouraging higher education in the
United States is just as important as promoting better academic performance,
and help students plan ahead and prepare for success.
References
Alex. (2016). Oklahoma's Promise. http://www.alex.k12.ok.us/highered/ohlap.jpg
Does
free community college work? (2015, January 10). CNN Wire. Retrieved from
Goldrick-Rab,
S., & Kelly, A. P. (2016). Should community college be free? Education next
talks with Sara Goldrick-Rab and Andrew P. Kelly.
Education Next, 16(1), 54+. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/AcademicJournalsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&displayquery=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Journals&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA441690176&source=Bookmark&u=highlinecc&jsid=b66df6f5b4f5c2a8b24dd088144cebeb
King,
F. (2015). Higher ed [not equal to] higher class: do we know why we're sending
more
Americans to college? The American Conservative,
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Marin
Kennen, E. (2005, Aug 15). GEAR UP: Creating college students in 7th grade. The
Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, 15, 18.
Retrieved from http://moe.highline.edu:2158/docview/219215909?accountid=1327
Mendoza,
P., Mendez, J. P., & Malcolm, Z. (2009). Financial aid and persistence in
community
colleges: Assessing the effectiveness of federal and
state financial aid programs in oklahoma. Community College Review, 37(2),
112-135. Retrieved from http://moe.highline.edu:2158/docview/213204852?accountid=1327
Olivo,
A. (1998, Mar 13). FINANCIAL AID: Financing a college education; creative ways
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search for funds. The Hispanic Outlook in Higher
Education, 8, 5. Retrieved from http://moe.highline.edu:2158/docview/219202191?accountid=1327
Tanabe,
G., & Tanabe, K. (2013). 1001 Ways to pay for college. Belmont, CA:
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