College Affordability

The educational system is always an issue during electoral campaigns. And it should be. A nation should always try to improve their citizens’ education, since knowledge today is more important and decisive than in any other time. President Obama promised to reform from kindergartner to high school, invest more in early childhood education and make colleges more affordable. It is a big promise, which he has not fulfilled yet, but at least he started.

One of the steps he took towards the reform of education concerned the affordability of college. He states his goal: “by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.” These changes are happening through the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act and they consist of a stronger Pell Grant program that makes student loans directly without involving banks, investments in community colleges and more support for Minority Serving Institutions.

I understand that those are already very helpful changes and it certainly increases the chances for more people to have a higher education. However, they do not seem enough. College tuitions are extremely costly, even at universities that receive public funds. The American government offers student loans, which sometimes is the only chance for a person to go to college; but after he or she graduates, payments will have to be made sometimes for up to 20 years. And there are the books and other materials. I am finishing my third semester at ACC and I still cannot understand how a very used book can only be $15 cheaper than a brand new one that costs $100– I am sure it does not happen just in Texas. The total cost of a college is extremely high.

In my point of view, The United States has the capability of developing a fairer college education system; one that allows more people to enter universities without having to make huge debts. Maybe one that offers the students the possibility to work for the government after graduation for a certain period as a form of payment. Or even universities completely subsidized by public funding. All we need is a government willing to make the difference between the poor and rich become smaller.