EDUC Obama's Latest Handout: Two Years Of Free Community College For Everyone

[Possible Impact]

President Obama says he is rolling out a plan to make two years of community
college free, or nearly so, to students across the country.

“What I’d like to do is to see the first two years of community college free
for everybody who is willing to work for it,” Obama said in a video filmed on
Air Force One and posted on Facebook on Thursday.

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 01/08/2015 20:01 -0500
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-...out-two-years-free-community-college-everyone


With the number of college graduates working minimum wage jobs nearly
71% higher than it was a decade ago, and the average graduate leaving college
with $29,400 in debt (crushing their hopes of leveraging up to buy that American
Dream-creating house), President Obama has unleashed a double whammy of ideas
in the last few days. Reducing mortgage insurance and cutting down-payment
restrictions for FHA loans (i.e. providing huge leverage to segments of society to
repeat the mistakes of the last housing bubble); and now, as The LA Times reports,
President Obama says he is rolling out a plan to make two years of
community college free, or nearly so, to every student across the country.
Because it's "fair"?

As The LA Times reports,

President Obama says he is rolling out a plan to make two years of
community college free, or nearly so, to students across the country.

“What I’d like to do is to see the first two years of community
college free for everybody who is willing to work for it,” Obama
said in a video filmed on Air Force One and posted on Facebook on
Thursday.

Obama’s announcement comes ahead of a visit Friday to a community
college and technical center in Knoxville, Tenn., as part of a trip
designed to preview his policy plans for 2015.

​

* * *
Just what this nation needs... more higher-educated, taxpayer-funded citizens
demanding higher-paid jobs ("well we have a community college education now")
when all the jobs being 'created' are waiters, bar staff, and shale oil workers (oh
wait... not them)

Moar Free Stuff...

Via President Obama's Facebook page...

“Put simply, what I’d like to do is to see the first two years of
community college free for anybody who’s willing to work for it,”
he said. “It’s something we can accomplish, and it’s something
that will train our workforce so that we can compete with anyone
in the world.”

Obama said a world-class education starts with children, but that adults
need training, too. “It’s not just for kids, we also have to make
sure that everybody has the opportunity to constantly train
themselves for better jobs, better wages, better benefits.”

​

The America’s College Promise proposal could save eligible students $3,800 a
year in tuition, the White House said.

According to the White House, here are the requirements for the program:

What students have to do: Students must attend community college
at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and make steady progress toward
completing their program.

What community colleges have to do: Community colleges will be
expected to offer programs that are either 1) academic programs that
fully transfer credits to local public four-year colleges and universities,
or 2) occupational training programs with high graduation rates and lead
to in-demand degrees and certificates. Community colleges must also
adopt promising and evidence-based institutional reforms to improve
student outcomes.

What the federal government has to do: Federal funding will cover
three-quarters of the average cost of community college. Participating
states will be expected to contribute the remaining funds necessary to
eliminate the tuition for eligible students.

​

The president is expected to make a formal announcement Friday

* * *
Should be a Great State of The Union

 

[Dennis Olson]

What is "moar"? Seriously. I've seen that in a couple threads recently, and can't figure it out.

 

[Kathy in FL]

It is already possible in most places to get most of the first two years of college free via dual enrollment options during highschool. And those that can function at the college level do that. My 10th grader is taking 6 credits this spring to start her dual enrollment career. There is a limit of 9 credits per semester so it is possible that she can complete 30 credits plus any she qualifies to take over the summer for free ... all we have to pay is books and lab fees. That will have her half way through an AA/AS or a quarter of the way through a bachelor's degree. Here's the thing ... college isn't public school. You have to take a entrance exam (SAT, ACT, or a CPT) and be able to maintain a minimum GPA or your butt is SOL. College - including Community College - is not required to retain you or promote you ... you fail, they'll hand your butt to you.

 

[Kathy in FL]

What is "moar"? Seriously. I've seen that in a couple threads recently, and can't figure it out.

It is the sound of a "growl" or "roar" of hunger ... like "moar zombies". First time I heard it used was with regard to the serial type stories offered online for free. Readers would cry "MOAR!" when they liked the story ... moar for more. I see it everywhere now, including in so-called journalist articles. lol

 

[Tex88]

What is "moar"? Seriously. I've seen that in a couple threads recently, and can't figure it out.

Post-l33t speak for "more". Origin with the "I can haz cheesburger" memes.

 

[Countrymouse]

"for those willing to WORK FOR IT"....


what ya wanna bet Ovomit's definition of "working for it" will be volunteering for some sort of "community service" that helps promote HIM and HIS programs???

 

[Intestinal Fortitude]

What is "moar"? Seriously. I've seen that in a couple threads recently, and can't figure it out.

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/moar

Gimme More

The counterpoint to “do not want” and the drinking buddy of “sauce”, MOAR is an expression of interest and desire, indicating the poster wishes more of the same or similar type of content thus provided.

More of a demand than a polite request, sources indicate it’s not just a throwback to the heady days of 1337speak when deliberate mispeelings were all the rage, but rather is a roar for more.

Urban Dictionary:


1. A combination of “more” and “roar”. 2. An order bellowed to a forum to remedy the bellower’s insufficient pr0n collection. Usually accompanied by foaming at the mouth. troll89 posts: omg she’s hawt! MOAR!!

 

[Jez]

I guess he's trying to see if he can get the deficit to a quadrillion dollars before he leaves office.

 

[Used Camels]

There are no FREE lunches. Someone has to pay for it.

College costs today are so far out of whack, the system and colleges needs a major overhaul. But bottom line--saying that Obama is going to hand-out free educations is absurd (though of course plenty will be thrilled). We'll just need a new tax or two to pay for this. No sweat.

 

[vessie]

"Obama said a world-class education starts with children, but that adults
need training, too. “It’s not just for kids, we also have to make
sure that everybody has the opportunity to constantly train
themselves for better jobs, better wages, better benefits.”

Wow! So does this include white people too???!!?

How exciting! To actually have white people getting back something instead of paying all those taxes for only coloureds to get things for Free! Whoopee! Yee-yay! V

 

[Green]

I've got three kids in community college. I'm all for it. But I doubt it will happen.

 

[vessie]

“What I’d like to do is to see the first two years of community
college free for everybody who is willing to work for it,” Obama
said in a video filmed on Air Force One and posted on Facebook on
Thursday."

Work does not = Free.

Kind of an oxymoron...

Probably has some type of 'indentured servitude' tied up in all this "Free" stuff. V

 

[undead]

wow, have to maintain a 2.5 GPA?

I would guess a community college would be pretty stupid to ever allow its students to receive anything less than a 2.5, regardless of performance. It's free momey after all.

 

[Nowski]

I guess he's trying to see if he can get the deficit to a quadrillion dollars before he leaves office.

^^^^THIS^^^^

As I was reading this thread, my only thoughts were, where is the money going to come from?

I swear, freaking liberals in this country are doing everything absolutely possible, to destroy what
is left of this once great nation. There simply isn't any money, and not everyone can,
or should attempt to go to, even a two year college.

Many so called high school graduates cannot even do basic arithmetic,
or compose a coherent sentence, and this POS wants to send them to a college.

All it will do, is drive up the already sky high costs of post high school education. I just found
out how expensive college is now, as I am checking on finishing up a physics degree, and starting work on
an urban studies degree. I nearly passed out at how much a 5 credit hour class is now, just the tuition.
No wonder the college debt bubble is nearly a trillion dollars.

Get the federal government out of education. That's the problem with higher education.

Regards to all,
Nowski

 

[Sacajawea]

Well, maybe he can set a good example and be the first one.
Community Colleges are by definition - TWO YEAR COLLEGES.

Every time a Prez gets his butt in a sling on the economy, they try to finagle the CC's and Universities to try some new, wacky program that only costs more money, but doesn't change the fact that incoming freshman require (in many, many cases) a whole year (or more) of remedial classes to even be able to do college level work.

This is why a lot of excellent, FT faculty retired early or just plain quit.

 

[Dobbin]

Obama forgets the "unintended consequences."

First of all, there are only so many jobs for a community college graduate. Overload the system with community college graduates and you'll have a surplus of potential employees. Remember the law of supply and demand? Excess supply begets lower prices? Each of those current community college level jobs will now be making LESS because they'll be competing with a larger job seeking employee pool.

Second of all, since EVERYONE will be getting funding now to go to community college - that law & supply thing again - community colleges will raise the price. Or possibly the bar for admission. Community college will become harder to get into and more selective of their entrants.

Thirdly, what about the subtraction of money from the economy in taxes to pay for all these new community college graduates? To pay his additional taxes will Joe Six Pack be required to defer an improvement to his house (subtracting local job opportunities) or put off purchase of a new wide screen TV (subtracting more retail and importing employment) or cut out attending the Super Bowl (discretionary spending which is a large driver to the economy generally?)

Sounds like yet another Obama Lose-Lose Program.

Doing what a good Marxist can to kill initiative, ruin the economy, and take the country down from within.

Dobbin

 

[Pinecone]

"Obama said a world-class education starts with children, but that adults
need training, too. “It’s not just for kids, we also have to make
sure that everybody has the opportunity to constantly train
themselves for better jobs, better wages, better benefits.”

So, can I go back to school for a degree in English emphasis, then visual communication, library instructional assistant, and then when I'm done with that go back for associate of general studies? I could be a professional student for a decade or more by claiming I need to constantly train for a better job, better wages and better benefits.

Won't need to work full time, because there won't be any full time positions by the time the taxes hit everyone.

Wake me up, I seem to be in a nightmare that is growing more bizarre and unreal each passing hour.

 

[Intestinal Fortitude]

I still want to see his transcripts.

 

[TerryK]

I guess he's trying to see if he can get the deficit to a quadrillion dollars before he leaves office.

This

There are no FREE lunches. Someone has to pay for it.

And This^

Why not abolish all taxes and give everyone 50K minimum government income too?

 

[MountainBiker]

First off it would be nice to get a clear definition of what "work for it" means. Community colleges are sufficiently inexpensive now that I'd think any kid who works after school or on weekends during high school and works part time while at the community college should be able to easily pay for it themselves without needing govt. help.

Only a 2.5 GPA? With the extent of grade inflation these days, I'd think being able to fog a mirror would get you a 2.5. As an employer I wouldn't be interested in anyone with grades that low coming out of a community college.

And as Kathy in FL has noted, smart kids willing to apply themselves in high school can get a lot of community college credits practically for free while they are in high school. Clearly he is aiming this new entitlement at low achieving gibsmedats. Once in place he'll look to expand it to cover the 3rd & 4th year at State colleges. Then 4 years degrees will be totally useless, and employers will only want people with Masters.

 

[rlm1966]

There are no FREE lunches. Someone has to pay for it.

College costs today are so far out of whack, the system and colleges needs a major overhaul. But bottom line--saying that Obama is going to hand-out free educations is absurd (though of course plenty will be thrilled). We'll just need a new tax or two to pay for this. No sweat.

The first step to that is easy to accomplish. Make student loans dis-chargeable in bankruptcy. Suddenly banks will quit pushing and approving every student loan under the sun. This in turn will cause enrollment to plummet as the cost is out of control and without loans it isn't quite as feasible to attend. Schools would then have to respond to new economic conditions and start lowering tuition until it met the point were it was affordable to attend again.

When I was in college I was able to cover my tuition each semester without loans simply by living at home and working my but off at night and going to class in the day. I seriously doubt at today's tuition cost and what a person can make waiting tables I could walk out with a degree debt free.

 

[Be Well]

Obama forgets the "unintended consequences."

Au contraire, he wants chaos and collapse. He doesn't realize the unintended consquences of THAT, though....

 

[PCViking]

Another Obama triumph... deflate the value of education (other) people have worked hard for...

 

[Moggy]

What is "moar"? Seriously. I've seen that in a couple threads recently, and can't figure it out.

It is a combination of more and roar.

 

[Housecarl]

"for those willing to WORK FOR IT"....


what ya wanna bet Ovomit's definition of "working for it" will be volunteering for some sort of "community service" that helps promote HIM and HIS programs???

No bet.

 

[mbabulldog]

Those workers/teachers/instructors at Community Colleges don't work for free.

Just exactly are the funds to pay these people supposed to come from /sarcasm off/

 

[mbabulldog]

if O was smart, he would do something to assist those who want to go to a trade or tech school.

God knows if I had to do it all over again I'd trade in my MBA for a trade certificate...

 

[John13]

Student debt bubble is about to burst....bailout for Universities and Colleges??? Of course.... ugh!

 

[Ice Guy]

Great, now kids can go to grades 13/14. I seriously doubt the result is going to be more qualified graduates entering the work force. Then employers will wise up and start saying "only a 4 year degree? Well everyone has one of THOSE!"

 

[Bolt]

Not everyone is ready for (or even wants to attend) a 4 year college/university. I see this as a good thing. There are many parents who cannot afford Jr. or Community College and this will provide a step in the right direction. Not all H.S. graduates are cut out for a four year degree. Community colleges provide job skill training for jobs other than those requiring a degree.

 

[celtic-cat]

Low income students already are eligible to receive at least this level of free post-secondary education due to the Pell Grant. What the major impact of this proposal would be is that the Fedgov would have even more control over local educational outlets on a more minute level. He is proposing that community colleges have to rework their entire curriculum to new standards that his administration will set for content, transferrability of credits, etc.

This is much more disruptive and ambitious (in a very social-engineering way) than it first appears.

 

[Sleeping Cobra]

Probably mainly for the millions of illegals at tax payers expense.

 

[robb1313]

"Community colleges must also adopt promising and evidence-based institutional reforms to improve student outcomes."

Reforms, what in the hell does that mean? All that is missing is the liberal mantra "Common Sense". I'm betting this means the colleges will be directed to ensure anyone in this program will never have less than a 2.5 GPA.

Get ready for "no gibsmedat left behind"

 

[Richard]

look it's paid for by the Govt and thus the taxpayer so it's not free

 

[undead]

The first step to that is easy to accomplish. Make student loans dis-chargeable in bankruptcy. Suddenly banks will quit pushing and approving every student loan under the sun. This in turn will cause enrollment to plummet as the cost is out of control and without loans it isn't quite as feasible to attend. Schools would then have to respond to new economic conditions and start lowering tuition until it met the point were it was affordable to attend again.

When I was in college I was able to cover my tuition each semester without loans simply by living at home and working my but off at night and going to class in the day. I seriously doubt at today's tuition cost and what a person can make waiting tables I could walk out with a degree debt free.

That's all fine and dandy if we're talking only about private loans. But the Fed government is the major lender for student loans, and making those loans dischargeable in bankruptcy is just plain insanity.

 

[undead]

Not everyone is ready for (or even wants to attend) a 4 year college/university. I see this as a good thing. There are many parents who cannot afford Jr. or Community College and this will provide a step in the right direction. Not all H.S. graduates are cut out for a four year degree. Community colleges provide job skill training for jobs other than those requiring a degree.

Hey, I can't afford a BMW either.

Just because you're poor does not mean you get anything and everything you deem a "necessity" on someone else's dime.

Cuz that's just plain PATHETIC.

 

[JeanCat]

This makes me want to scream! Community College is already FREE in our state - MISSISSIPPI - yes the poorest, dumbest state in the union. All it takes for free tuition and books is a decent GPA and score on the ACT!

 

[Dennis Olson]

Bear this in mind:

India provides a FREE FOUR YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM to anyone who qualifies academically. It's one of the reasons they've taken so many tech jobs form us. Several other countries do the same. In order for the US to be competitive, it might actually be a good thing to have a semi-paid-for college program. Try and look at the bigger picture...

 

[Parakeet]

The first step to that is easy to accomplish. Make student loans dis-chargeable in bankruptcy. Suddenly banks will quit pushing and approving every student loan under the sun. This in turn will cause enrollment to plummet as the cost is out of control and without loans it isn't quite as feasible to attend. Schools would then have to respond to new economic conditions and start lowering tuition until it met the point were it was affordable to attend again.

You do realize that the higher education system is really about profits and revenue and not about helping young people get ahead in the world?

 

[dstraito]

I'm against further spending because it is out of control but I could see tying entitlements to either work or getting an education.

One of the reasons college cost so much now is because of Government Grants and programs and the cost to the college to administer these programs.

We are not competing very well with a lot of other countries in the global market, especially in education in part because why go to school when you can knock out some babies and get it for free?

Many Community Colleges have programs that train for trades, not just continuation for a four year degree. We need to ramp up the trade and blue collar skills in this country.