Grads: Aeysha Leffler (right) and Kaitlyn Griffie (left) are recent graduates of the respiratory therapy program at Ivy Tech Community College in Terre Haute. Ivy Tech students could benefit if President Joe Biden’s free community college proposal becomes reality. Submitted photo
President Joe Biden’s tuition-free community college proposal sounds like a good idea to Nicole Childress, an Ivy Tech Terre Haute student pursuing a degree in the health sciences.
“I think definitely it would benefit a lot of people. There are many who think, I can’t do it because I don’t have the resources or the money at the moment. There are a lot of circumstance that keep people from going,” said Childress, 38, who is pursuing an associate of applied science degree in the medical laboratory technology program.
The proposal has its critics, including those who say nothing is free and someone must pay — in this case, taxpayers.
Others suggest that community college is affordable in many states, thanks to existing federal and state aid programs. Several states provide tuition-free community college programs for eligible students.
Childress believes many would benefit from Biden’s proposal.
“It’s definitely positive if it helps a lot of people get the opportunity to go back to college or go to college right out of high school,” she said. While Childress receives financial aid, she does have some out-of-pocket expenses.
She is trying to avoid student loans, although she’s had them in the past. “They are terrible,” she said.
As part of the American Families Plan, Biden has proposed $109 billion to ensure that first-time students and workers wanting to reskill can enroll in a community college to earn a degree or credential for free. Students could use the benefit over three years and, if circumstances warrant, up to four years, “recognizing that many students’ lives and other responsibilities can make full-time enrollment difficult,” according to a White House fact sheet.
If all states, territories, and tribes participate, about 5.5 million students would pay no tuition or fees, the fact sheet stated.
Ivy Tech Terre Haute nursing student Danyeil Tabor supports a program that would help middle income students and families pay for college if they don’t currently qualify for federal or state financial aid.
But the Sullivan County resident, who is married and the mother of three children, has concerns about the overall cost of the program in addition to others that have been proposed at the federal level.
“Who is going to end up paying for it when all is said and done?” she said. “The money has to come from somewhere.” Tabor worries about the tax impact on future generations.
‘A good thing for the nation’
Lea Anne Crooks, Ivy Tech Terre Haute chancellor, said the college doesn’t have any more details than was publicly announced by Biden.
“We really appreciate the value that President Biden sees in higher education, and more specifically for us, the recognition of the important role the community college plays in that. From that aspect, we’re excited to learn more about it,” she said.
Many Ivy Tech students do qualify for federal Pell grants, and the state of Indiana “really is generous” on the aid it provides, Crooks said.
“We know many of our students receive free community college,” or more than 31% statewide, through Pell and state aid.
Those who may stand to benefit the most would be middle income families not eligible for financial aid; both parents or two people in the household may be working just to make ends meet, and college may not be an immediate priority.
The tuition-free community college proposal could open the door to college for that group not currently receiving federal or state aid, Crooks said.
Much was included in the American Families Plan, and community colleges were just one component. “Once the two parties start talking about logistics, I think we’ll have a little more understanding of where it’s going to land,” Crooks said.
She noted that many local companies offer tuition reimbursement programs to enable their employees to advance. “We do see students take advantage of those opportunities.”
The free community college proposal would be open to anyone who does not yet have a college degree, said David Baime, American Association of Community Colleges senior vice president for government relations. Those benefiting don’t have to be first-time students.
Details of the American Families Plan have yet to be released, he said. Coinciding with Biden’s proposal, House Democrats have introduced the America’s College Promise Act, which is generally consistent with the administration’s thinking, Baime said. The legislation would provide funding to states that would then be required to provide support to bring community college tuition down to zero.
Tuition and fees would be waived under this proposal for students, who would have three years of eligibility (in the congressional bill). There would be no income requirements, but students would have to be enrolled at least half time to qualify, Baime said. Programs would have to lead to a degree or certificate.
Short term, non-credit programs wouldn’t apply. Also, there would be no citizenship requirements.
“We think it [American Families Plan] is important because we think universal post-secondary education is important, and we think community colleges are the best route to attaining that,” Baime said.
“In today’s economy, some type of post secondary education is essential for most people to attain a family supporting wage, particularly younger individuals, people who are just coming out of high schools,” he said. “We think it’s a really good thing for the nation.”
While there are those who believe students who can afford a community college education should pay for it, Baime says that “community colleges serve so many low-income and first-generation students, that the instances where students can’t use the extra support ... are a small minority.”
The American Families Plan would be funded in part through tax increases on the wealthy, but it’s also anticipated it “would add to the federal deficit,” Baime said.
States vary widely in tuition costs
According to the New York Times, the proposal “would drastically alter the way community college is paid for by creating federal- state agreements — with the federal government kicking in $3 for every $1 paid by participating states.”
But, if enacted, the free community college proposal “has to account for states that vary widely in how much they charge for tuition,” according to an article written by Kevin Carey in the Times; he directs the education policy program at New America.
In some states, tuition is low and heavily state-subsidized, while in other states, tuition is much higher and less subsidized by the state.
According to Carey, the Biden administration is expected to endorse a bill that would give states 75% of the average community college tuition nationwide, in exchange for a match equal to 25%. High-tuition and low-tuition states would be treated equally.
However, the Biden plan would require states to eliminate community college tuition to receive funding. States with above-average tuition would have to provide a match of 25% along with the additional cost of making tuition free.
Some states might choose not to participate.
Under a bill introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the federal government would finance 75% of the cost of tuition replacement, and states would match the rest.
Under that proposal, states that have invested in keeping college affordable would be penalized, while states that have let tuition rise “would be rewarded with something akin to a federal bailout,” Carey wrote.
According to the College Board, in 2020-21, average published tuition/fees for full-time in-district students at public two-year colleges ranged from $1,430 in California and $1,940 in New Mexico to $8,600 in Vermont.
Critics of Biden’s proposal say community college is affordable in many states, thanks to existing federal and state aid programs.
At Ivy Tech for 2020-21, tuition is $149.55 per credit hour. For a full-time student (30 hours), the annual tuition would be $4,486 without financial aid. About 70% of Ivy Tech students statewide currently use some form of financial aid.
According to the College Board, in 2020-21 nationwide, the average published (sticker) tuition and fees at a two-year public institution annually was $3,770 for a full-time student. The actual (net) tuition paid can be far lower through financial aid.
In fact, according to the College Board’s Trends in Student Pricing and College Aid 2020, “Since 2009-10, first-time full-time students at public two-year colleges have been receiving enough grant aid on average to cover their tuition and fees.”
In Indiana, the 21st Century Scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition and some fees for income eligible students who meet criteria for grades and good behavior; students also must commit to the program in seventh or eighth grade. It can cover full tuition at Indiana public twoyear and four-year colleges.
According to Charlee Beasor, Indiana Commission for Higher Education spokeswoman, “Indiana provides a generous amount in state financial aid – about $390 million annually.”
In addition to 21st Century Scholars, the Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant is available for up to two years of training in a high-wage, high-demand industry. Students often stack the Workforce Ready Grant into an associate degree, making the two-year degree even more affordable.
Indiana ranks first in the Midwest and fourth in the nation for providing need-based financial aid, Beasor said.
“The Commission has made affordability a priority for many years and our emphasis on setting targets for tuition and fees is one of many factors that has led to Indiana being at historic lows for tuition increases,” she stated.
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