I actually think that education should be free, but with strings attached. The US college cost is growing, administrative overhead is growing, admission process is often not transparent. Once it is fixed and controlled higher ed should be free with a certain level of commitment. For things like medical school, which are ones of the most expensive ones, working for a few years at public hospitals can be a requirement for getting such education for free.
But this was done in the opposite direction, some people made really bad financial decisions. Some people opted not to pursue college degree, precisely because of cost. Why the latter should be paying for the former?
Also, let me ask you this: when you got your degree, did you go to a community college first to pick up some credits and transferred to save some costs?
I didn't, I was at a liberal arts school, realized an economics BS was basically distilled bullshit, decided to study math and comp sci instead, went to Maryland the next semester (maryland.edu)
My father and mother graciously picked up the tab for my studies and he is 76, and should be given a break from indefinite indentured servitude because its too expensive to send your kids to school. My sister went to VT which was more expensive, but at least my family tried to do what they could for their kids.
Sorry if you don't approve but I will literally send him a check for $10K for being such a champ throughout my life right after getting this debt forgiven because I care more about my family and all the hard work that was done to enable me to sit where I am in life, with the freedoms and happiness that have come with having a highly technical education, which lead
to several roles at Goldman Sachs and other very significant and impactful developments in my life.
It's not relevant but I made my parents a big chunk of change last year via trading and it makes me happy that they are getting a break.
Fuck the current system.
To answer your questions:
> Why the latter should be paying for the former?
I pay for current Social Security beneficiaries every 2 weeks, how is this different? I pay into my 401k for future Arthur, but he will be happier in 20 years for my contributions. And honestly? going to college probably makes anyone a little bit less of a dumbass than if they hadn't gone. Is that really that hard to fathom? It is worth it in the aggregate. Why bail out banks as opposed to bailing out humans from contracts creating via guilt and literal academic/skillset "FOMO" ?
> when you got your degree, did you go to a community college first to pick up some credits and transferred to save some costs?
I went to a state school, is that better? How much better would it have been if I did do 2 years at CC before going to Maryland? I think that it is crazy that I'm even answering. The first 2 year curriculum at Maryland is much more challenging than the equivalent ar Montgomery College, so I got more out of whatever the equivalent would have been?
No offense but... yes, I got a ton out of my time at Maryland and I am happy that my outcome was positive. Telling people to spend less if they get debt forgiveness is just silly, the outcomes vis-a-vis what you spend are less relevant than your economic impact after leaving school
P.S. I think I had 17 AP credits transfer over from high school if that makes you feel better. Even cheaper than paying for CC!
I also agree that tertiery education should be free, so glad we agree on that more fundamental point. I am biased on this topic but seriously, its super fucking awesome Biden + administration is following through with this. Even if its just for primaries, this is so great for me and I support this.
But this was done in the opposite direction, some people made really bad financial decisions. Some people opted not to pursue college degree, precisely because of cost. Why the latter should be paying for the former?
Also, let me ask you this: when you got your degree, did you go to a community college first to pick up some credits and transferred to save some costs?