LTTE reminding us that past generations have received taxpayer assistance in covering college costs

[dflprincess]

This was in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune. The writer was a former professor at the University of Minnesota. I wish that any of my fellow Boomers (or anyone else) who are whining about loan forgiveness would take this into account.

Taxpayers supported higher education in the past, too

An Aug. 26 letter writer and so many others of his generation, in objecting to President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness, seem to think that taxpayer support for students in college education is some kind of undeserved "giveaway" that is insulting to students of an earlier generation who "paid their own way."

These critics seem to forget that there was indeed substantial taxpayer support for their education at that earlier time. State governments in Minnesota and elsewhere supported state universities with taxpayer dollars to a far greater extent than they do today. It is in fact withdrawal of the taxpayer subsidies that you enjoyed that is contributing to the cost crisis for students today.

The tuition cost for the University of Minnesota from 1979 in today's dollars was about $2,500. The actual cost of education in today's dollars was about the same as it is today in constant dollars. But state support was nearly 50% for the university then, effectively subsidizing tuition. Today the state appropriation is only 18% of the university budget. Figures are similar throughout the nation. The fact is, taxpayers supported higher education to a much greater extent in the past.

So, yes, earlier university graduates "got theirs" in terms of tax supported education, much more than students are getting today. The critics should not begrudge the use of tax dollars to help students out now. When was the last time these critics of Biden's action wrote their legislators to insist that they increase support for the University of Minnesota or Minnesota State campuses?
i/div]

[raccoon]

1. K&r. This man is right on target.

I used to work at a community college and at presentations they would show how much the state used to give the college versus how much it did now and the figures were something like that guy said. The state gave a lot less to the colleges.

Dammit, you can’t have it both ways. you can’t have all these fucking cuts in your state income tax and continue to have low tuition at your state universities and colleges.

[MissMillie]

2. kick. great letter. any link?

I'd love to share this elsewhere.

[dflprincess]

4. Sorry, I usually remember that

This will take you to yesterday's LTTE page. Scroll down aways for this letter.


https://m.startribune.com/readers-write-juvenile-justice-prescription-drug-student-loan-scoundrels-church-language-pet-peeves/600201726/

[MissMillie]

5. thanks

It's just that it's a great letter and I wanted to share it.

I'm thankful that you shared it with us.

[malthaussen]

3. I don't forget.

You would not want to know how low my tuition was when I was an undergraduate, largely because of taxpayer funding.

-- Mal