We have a version of free college in Georgia. But the taxpayers don’t foot the bill. We use the Georgia lottery. If a student graduates HS will a “B” average they get free tuition to GA state universities. We have had it for years and it works pretty well.
I graduated high school in 1970. The City University system of the City of New York had “open enrollment”. There was no tuition but you had to purchase your books and supplies. They had work study where got a job to offset to cover expenses for those books and supplies. Some kids worked on campus others off campus. I was lucky to have that and graduate with a degree. My kids are still paying their school loans. Now that truly sucks.
Get this- i read the other day that in schumer’s state, he wants to give free tuition- but by golly that isn’t even good enough for the gimmedats because they are complaining that they still have to pay room and board and buy their own books-
One thing never mentioned in these debates is that this “free” college usually just applies to tuition. At state Universities, like here in MA, this is usually a tiny percentage of the total bill. My son went to UMASS and was eligible for something like 25% off of tuition for having gone to a state community college his first two years. This ended up being only 25% of about $300 a semester out of a $5000/semester bill.
As what happens to all “free” things, the costs will skyrocket, the number of slots will decrease, and eventually, only the children of politically connected people will be admitted.
Just like most things that you don’t have to work hard for. It will end up worthless.
Wasn't California like this; back in the day?