Embedded Files
Based on our research, there have been numerous cases where people have entered the middle class through a non-traditional route that doesn't involve college. However, obtaining a college degree provides people the most straightforward pathway to entering the middle class and living well. For this reason, our policy solutions focus on making a college education more accessible for students who come from poor or low income families.
Based on our research, there have been numerous cases where people have entered the middle class through a non-traditional route that doesn't involve college. However, obtaining a college degree provides people the most straightforward pathway to entering the middle class and living well. For this reason, our policy solutions focus on making a college education more accessible for students who come from poor or low income families.
There are many possible solutions to this issue. The biggest barrier to entry into college is the cost. The debt from education also acts as an anchor for many graduates.
There are many possible solutions to this issue. The biggest barrier to entry into college is the cost. The debt from education also acts as an anchor for many graduates.
Income Based Tuition
Income Based Tuition
An income based tuition policy similar to the progressive income tax system would make college more affordable. Students would pay varying amounts on college tuition depending on which income bracket their family falls into. Although many schools currently take a student's income into account, often times, the aid is inadequate.
Free Applications
Free Applications
Free applications would remove an obstacle that prevents low-income students from even applying to school. This is a policy that many schools have already instituted and have seen encouraging signs of a more economically diverse applicant pool.
Free Materials
Free Materials
Some have proposed material costs being included in tuition. Textbook costs are one reason the price of education is so high. This alleviates one portion of that price.
529 Accounts
529 Accounts
Money that you put away in a 529 account is used exclusively for education and is left to grow tax-free. Plans are very flexible and can accommodate many different financial situations. These accounts are a great way to save up for school costs.
As we have shown, a college degree undeniably increases the chances an individual has to enter the middle class, providing more pathways for underprivileged and poor students to access free and debt-free college is perhaps the most significant step policymakers can take to address this inequity. Furthermore, those who do have the opportunity to attend college from a low-income background are therefore often compelled to work while studying or left to pay for their own materials.
As we have shown, a college degree undeniably increases the chances an individual has to enter the middle class, providing more pathways for underprivileged and poor students to access free and debt-free college is perhaps the most significant step policymakers can take to address this inequity. Furthermore, those who do have the opportunity to attend college from a low-income background are therefore often compelled to work while studying or left to pay for their own materials.
In this regard, the federal government should consider assisting chronically underfunded community colleges and expanding affordable and debt-free college or affordable career programs and certificates. Moreover, de-stigmatising non-college education, such as online education, self-taught skills and trade school, would allow many who cannot afford a college education to enter high-paid work.
In this regard, the federal government should consider assisting chronically underfunded community colleges and expanding affordable and debt-free college or affordable career programs and certificates. Moreover, de-stigmatising non-college education, such as online education, self-taught skills and trade school, would allow many who cannot afford a college education to enter high-paid work.
Approaches to affordable college that have been put forward include income thresholds or progressive cost for college. For example, at Harvard, if your family's income is less than 75k, you study for free. If expanded and subsidized by the government, such approaches could allow many students otherwise discouraged from entering college to access these opportunities.
Approaches to affordable college that have been put forward include income thresholds or progressive cost for college. For example, at Harvard, if your family's income is less than 75k, you study for free. If expanded and subsidized by the government, such approaches could allow many students otherwise discouraged from entering college to access these opportunities.
Page updated
Report abuse