What's wrong with tuition-free college?

[exboyfil]

49. Absolutely not intended

but look at the profile of even a prestigious public like Illinois - it does not represent the demographic of college students in general in regards to wealth. The reason is the barriers to poorer children meeting the requirements (not able to pay for testing services, parents less able to help students academically, pooer schools, etc).

I was the first person in my family to go to college, and I recognize how hard it can be. I barely made it out of Purdue, and I made many mistakes along the way. Someone with parents who knew what was going on would have helped me to avoid those mistakes. Competition at prestigious public universities like Illinois and Purdue has only gotten worse over the years. I think my daughter faced some greater challenges at Iowa State than I faced at Purdue, but she had me to help her (we both majored in Mechanical Engineering).

I can't imagine how hard it is for a poor kid who may only have one parent at home who has never gone to college. I am very supportive of mentoring programs for the disadvantaged and affirmative action. I probably would not have gotten into Purdue without some affirmative action myself (I came from Mississippi, and I understand they were trying for some regional balance at the time).

I have tutored some in math for high school kids. My daughter is also doing this.

My only point is, if a larger percentage of students accessed the tuition free income based program, then the university would have less resources to make such a program available. I hope a better representation of society does go to Illinois. It is an excellent school, and our nation would benefit from communities having wider access.