Critics attack Obama’s ‘free college’ plan

While President Obama said free community college tuition will help pull people out of poverty, critics of his plan argue the proposal doesn’t tackle the deeper problem of rising tuition and low graduation rates.

The presidents plan calls for the free tuition for students who attend at least half time, maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.5, and make “steady progress” toward graduating.

Under the plan, estimated to cost $60 billion over a decade, states could have to pay for roughly 25 percent of the cost. Exact funding sources haven’t been specifically identified.

But those against the plan have said the return of investment is not worth it, given most community college students never go on to the next level: a four year university.

According to the Community College Research Center at Teachers College Columbia University, only 22 percent of students graduate within three years, and 28 percent graduate within four. More telling, 80 percent of students said they want a bachelor’s degree or higher, yet only 20 percent of these students transfer to a four-year institution within five years.

El Paso Community College President William Serrata said the graduation number is low because some students transfer to four-year schools before getting an associate degree.

“There is still room for improvement. Our students are older. The average age for an EPCC student is 27 years old. Most of them work — not by choice but because they have to.” Serrata said.

He said he applauds the president for starting this dialogue, because 65 percent of all new jobs will soon require post-secondary education.

Still, critics of the president’s plan said it could flood community college campuses without doing enough to increase graduation rates or deal with rising education costs.