College Should Be Free, Essay Example

Education comes at a very high price.  Many of those who are not able to obtain a scholarship, grant, or other types of assistance end up with a great deal of debt that causes financial strain.  Or worse yet, others will avoid college and their career aspirations so that they do not have to carry this burden, if that option is available.  Although it would not be inexpensive for the government or other source of funds, making colleges free in the United States would provide a number of benefits for students and the country.

Motivation

Regardless of reason, which will be relevant in a further section, some students are simply not motivated to go to college.  Whether a student does not want to pay or spend time at a college, making it free could provide added motivation for this endeavor.  Such an action could potentially create a number of positive effects on students entering college.

Worry

Students worry about college.  Whether it is for financial issues or seen in terms of one’s future, providing college free of charge would eliminate this worry in students.  Students would then be able to focus on their studies and not negative external focuses, such as money, future plans, and other considerations.

Many who are depending on assistance to finance college are drawn away from it if an opportunity comes their way, as the uncertainty plays a role in their future.  Thus, some choose a job that they may not truly want, should this opportunity come their way, as their college plans are not certain.  Providing students with paid college would allow them to enter a more positive mindset, where they can pursue their educational goals without this stress.

Eliminating the worry of money for college would benefit the mindset of students.  Many students are forced to save up for college in order to have a chance at pursuing an education.  Worse yet, some engaged in these long hours won’t make enough to pay for college, or their educational endeavors may suffer in such a situation.

Academics

In this prospective scenario of paid college, making it based on reasonable grades would provide further motivation.  Thus, if a student keeps his or her grades up, they will be better motivated to stay committed to their schoolwork.  Having the financial cloud of paying for college gone, and being able to devote their time to their grades, positive study habits and educational priorities would be stressed.

Educational Makeup of the Country

For various reasons and underlying factors, some people are not able to pursue a college education.  The many benefits that would result from free college would result in a better educated country.  Eliminating this barrier would result in a higher educational makeup within the country.

The educated makeup of the country inevitable sees many distinctions.  Separations in social classes and further factors result in a country divided in terms of education.  No longer would financial constraints or an educational system only for those with money be intact with this scenario in action.

The results could be drastic, in terms of the educational makeup of the United States.  This act would propel many towards educational and professional goals without the constraints of financial concerns.  It would also set a new standard for further generations to live by, where educational goals would be placed in higher regard.  The result would see a country growing in an educational morality, so to speak, where it is emphasized.

Unequal Opportunity

The ultimate need for free college is the ability for all to have the opportunity to be educated.  While we may argue about the right of education, we cannot ignore the drastic effects that would take place if everyone had this available to them.  Those from different socioeconomic backgrounds and walks of life would not be required to come up with resources that they do not have.

Backgrounds

Free college is a huge step for those who simply cannot afford college.  Racial minorities and those from poorer backgrounds should not have to suffer because of this.  Their unfortunate circumstances should not take away a major source of hope of obtaining education and a chance to pursue a better career opportunity.

This step would also allow those from less fortunate backgrounds to alter the landscape.  An act such as this would transform lower socioeconomic backgrounds with low rates of opportunities for the better, by allowing them to possibly work hard to get to college, without any notion of paying for school.  This action could have a high level of impact in these types of communities.

Is It Reasonable?

Of course it may not be reasonable to suggest that college be free.  However, that does not mean that there could be some advances towards it being free.  There are important considerations which could allow some important steps to be made.

Merit and Situation

Situations could determine whether students could study at the college level for free.  This could be one important step in this type of situation.  By allowing students in less-than-desirable circumstances to go to college for free, we could eliminate some of the causes of why those without proper funding don’t go to college.

The situation of the student could dictate going to college for free.  Identifying those without the proper financial foundation to attend college, such students could be allowed to attend for free.  This would allow those that would certainly not be able to attend college normally attend for free.

Academic potential could also be used to merit free college.  Thus, by emphasizing high academic standards, students would be greatly encouraged to devote themselves to college to be able to study for free.  Importantly, the standards could be reasonable, so that this wouldn’t be some sort of masqueraded scholarship of sorts.

Conclusion

Providing college free of charge would eliminate an inequality due to many different reasons.  Providing college to those who would not normally have these types of opportunities would allow educational goals to be obtained.  Regardless of ability to pay or background, it is important that everyone has an opportunity to pursue what they would like to study.  While it would take some minor steps to reach that point, it would be worth it in the long run.  The educational makeup of the country would drastically change, where those who would normally have no hope of higher education would be able to look forward to this in their life.