Truth
The cost of a college education has been escalating about 5 percent annually. And that's just tuition. When you consider room-and-board and other fees, it's even more.
Higher education, even at many four-year state colleges and universities, is becoming less affordable each year, often strapping students with large loans for years after graduation. In this shaky economy, that's not a good way to begin life in the real world.
An Associated Press story last week reported that Indiana ranks 41st among states with adults having at least a two-year college degree. Coincidence?
Gov. Mitch Daniels proposed a plan that he believes will help boost college participation and therefore help the state's economy. He wants all Indiana high school grads to attend college for at least two years -- some for free.
But he doesn't know how much it would cost, how the state would pay for it or who would get the free tuition.
There are a lot of red flags with his proposal and we have some questions:
* Would opening up the college and university system to all high school graduates, regardless of aptitude, change the higher education system? Would qualifications change? Not everyone is college material.
* Wouldn't the state's money -- taxpayers' money -- be better used to assure that more students graduate from high school and be better prepared to go to college or directly into the workforce?
* Wouldn't another, more effective tactic be to hold down the cost of tuition to make college more affordable for all Hoosier students?
* What about additional scholarship programs, for those in need and for students in middle-income families who often find it difficult to obtain aid?
Ivy Tech's president pointed out in the AP story that students from families making less than $40,000 can already attend his school for free through existing aid programs.
Daniels also encouraged colleges and universities to hold tuition increases to the cost of inflation, something Ivy Tech has already agreed to do. However, with the cost of food and gasoline increasing significantly, everything is becoming more expensive for everyone. Since states have some control over college costs with the amount of funding they provide colleges and universities, the governor and Legislature could do more from their end.
There are many questions that need to be answered before this proposal should be considered because there may be more viable alternatives that will benefit more students in the long run.