Weekly Address: Everyone Should Be Able To Afford Higher Education
Source: White House
In this weeks address, with schools getting ready to open their doors again over the next few weeks, the President talked directly to students and parents about the importance of preparing for an education beyond high school. In todays economy, some higher education continues to be the surest ticket to the middle class, but for too many families across the country, paying for higher education is a constant struggle. The President and First Lady know this first hand they only finished paying off their student loans ten years ago and thats why they have made it a priority to help make college more affordable for families. They have taken action to reform student loans, expand grants and college tax credits, help make loan payments more manageable, and have proposed plans to make sure colleges also do their part to bring down costs. And just this week, as part of the Presidents Year of Action, the administration announced a new series of commitments to support students who need a little extra academic help getting through college.
Read more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/15/weekly-address-everyone-should-be-able-afford-higher-education
http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address
Transcript
(snip)
We know that in todays economy, whether you go to a four-year college, a community college, or a professional training program, some higher education is the surest ticket to the middle class. The typical American with a bachelors degree or higher earns over $28,000 more per year than someone with just a high school diploma. And theyre also much more likely to have a job in the first place the unemployment rate for those with a bachelors degree is less than one-third of the rate for those without a high school diploma.
But for too many families across the country, paying for higher education is a constant struggle. Earlier this year, a young woman named Elizabeth Cooper wrote to tell me how hard it is for middle-class families like hers to afford college. As she said, she feels not significant enough to be addressed, not poor enough for people to worry [about], and not rich enough to be cared about.
Michelle and I know the feeling we only finished paying off our student loans ten years ago. And so as President, Im working to make sure young people like Elizabeth can go to college without racking up mountains of debt. We reformed a student loan system so that more money goes to students instead of big banks. We expanded grants and college tax credits for students and families. We took action to offer millions of students a chance to cap their student loan payments at 10% of their income. And Congress should pass a bill to let students refinance their loans at todays lower interest rates, just like their parents can refinance their mortgage.
But as long as college costs keep rising, we cant just keep throwing money at the problem -- colleges have to do their part to bring down costs as well. Thats why we proposed a plan to tie federal financial aid to a colleges performance, and create a new college scorecard so that students and parents can see which schools provide the biggest bang for your buck. We launched a new $75 million challenge to inspire colleges to reduce costs and raise graduation rates. And in January, more than 100 college presidents and nonprofit leaders came to the White House and made commitments to increase opportunities for underserved students.
Dustlawyer
(10,497 posts)All of my kids have worked while going to school since medical expenses ate up their college savings. They all have received scholarships and grants, but living expenses in major college towns are not cheap and financial aid is limited. One with a degree starts his Masters program this Fall after working for several years to save up. Dramatic increases in Health Insurance costs for me a month ago haven't helped. Neither did the 30% pay cut at work. This country has its priorities all out of wack. Maybe I should have incorporated myself!
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)" This country has its priorities all out of wack."
BumRushDaShow
(129,543 posts)because there are DUers who insist that a weekly address (purportedly in the manner of their fantasy version of FDR and his sporadic "Fireside Chats" doesn't exist.
I listened to this on the local news station here this morning and the "bang for your buck" initiative seems interesting.
cal04
(41,505 posts)I would never hear it, if I didn't go to the site every Sat. I don't know where else to find it other than You Tube White House, so I'm not sure how many others know where to find it.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)Or at least try, dammit.
candelista
(1,986 posts)Before the Republican philosophy of "user fees" got applied to education. Education is a public good--everyone benefits from it--and should be paid for by everyone, not just the "users."
Cal33
(7,018 posts)they have a high flunking rate. This is probably their way of seeing to it
that only deserving students get through. Those who don't finish high school
can attend trade schools.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)Congress HATES Americans.
candelista
(1,986 posts)From the article: "Thats why we proposed a plan to tie federal financial aid to a colleges performance, and create a new college scorecard so that students and parents can see which schools provide the biggest bang for your buck."
They've been doing this in the UK for about 10 years. I wondered when it would come to the US. Government funding for a university gets cut if the school doesn't meet government designed standards of efficiency and "productivity." This means larger classes, increased workload for faculty, and emphasis on STEM education (science, tech, engineering, mathematics). Liberal arts and humanities get thrown under the bus.
Kinda like No Child Left Behind, except it's for higher education.
alp227
(32,060 posts)candelista
(1,986 posts)alp227
(32,060 posts)and in the 21st century can America really be a nation of non-STEM majors? Of course American culture still as a whole needs to value the liberal arts instead of being the narcissistic anti-intellectual money-loving culture it is now.
candelista
(1,986 posts)LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)mightily to put aside money for college. We were determined that she wouldn't be saddled with student loan debt. She is currently a senior at a state university. Freshman year was killer. The dorm alone was $1475.00 a month. Sophomore year she moved into an off-campus apartment on a one year lease to the tune of $600.00 a month. Currently her share of the rent on a small one bedroom apartment is $680.00 a month. Between tuition, books, and living expenses, we've already spent close to 100K with a year to go. She's now working part-time, which is helping, but I can't imagine, nor could I afford, doing this more than once. She's lucky she's an only child as is her roommate whose parents are also footing the bill. I shudder at the enormous debt so many students are racking up. They'll be weighed down by those loans for decades in an economy in which employers get by on the cheap. Creating college scorecards is a nice PR move, but does nothing to address the fact that for many college is simply unaffordable.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)She got many scholarships to Indiana University and got her masters in the UK for a fraction of the cost.
My younger daughter is actually starting her undergrad at Trinity in Ireland and without any scholarships, her 4 years will cost us less than $45k including housing and all expenses.
US university costs are completely whack. I'm deeply grateful I have EU citizenship and my daughters have an opportunity to access world class education for a price we can afford.
But still... Yes. +$100,000 in university costs is exorbitant and horrific for any family.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)heartbeat if I could. You are, indeed, fortunate.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,233 posts)Since then our politicians thought we had higher priorities like more defense spending and tax cuts for the wealthy.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)university in 1970 was $72.00, a whopping $144.00 for the year. I just received a bill for my daughter's tuition for fall quarter at a public university - $5500. Add in winter and spring and I'm facing a bill for the year of $16,500, never mind books and living expenses. And I know that's cheap compared to private school. Things are seriously out of whack.
Kip Humphrey
(4,753 posts)quadrature
(2,049 posts)these days, higher eduction is a criminal enterprise
90% of lectures could be replaced
by a videotape machine
stop student loans
littlemissmartypants
(22,819 posts)daleo
(21,317 posts)But in the long run, it hurts the overall competitiveness of a society.
NickB79
(19,274 posts)I met so many people in the large state college I went to that were mainly there because a) they just wanted to party, b) they felt pressured into going by friends and family, and c) had no idea what they wanted to do with their lives or even chosen a major, YEARS into their schooling.
They'd end up with useless bachelor's and master's degrees and just end up working a job they could have gotten with a simple associate's degree or even an apprenticeship/on-the-job training set-up.
Not everyone needs to spend 4-8 years in college to be a success in life. My wife and I are already setting aside money for our daughter's college needs 15 years down the road, and we've had this discussion many times already. Tech colleges get unfairly short-changed, IMO, even though there are plenty of good-paying jobs that one can get with such a degree.
yurbud
(39,405 posts)and will have equally disastrous results.
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)Fortunately I plowed my bonuses for the last six years into a 529. That plus her completing about half of her degree while in high school will allow her to stay debt free (she also got some scholarships and an internship).
I am paying for 12 credit hours of science classes for my younger daughter this semester (she is a high school junior). Next semester and into her senior year, she will have up to 11 hrs/semester paid for my the high school through PSEO. What I can't get over are the fees the university is charging her for her Chemistry I.