TN Says Yes To Free Higher-Education Tuition (free tuition for incoming freshmen)

[kpete]

Source: Alternet

Tennessee Says Yes To Free Higher-Education Tuition
The measure will provide free tuition for incoming freshmen enrolling in two-year schools.


April 17, 2014 |

The Tennessee House and Senate have approved a measure that allows for two free years of tuition at community colleges or technical schools for all all the state's high school graduates. The proposal not only has the backing of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, it was based on his idea.

Moreover, the legislation passed by an overwhelming majority. The state's House of Representatives voted in favor of the legislation with a 87-8 margin.

When the plan, called Tennessee Promise, becomes law, should provide free higher education for about 25,000 students in the state beginning in 2015. It will only benefit incoming freshmen. College sophomores attending two year schools in 2015 will not be able to participate in the plan, but will still be eligible for other state financial aid programs.

The estimated cost of the program is $34 annually. Money will be transferred from the proceeds of the Tennessee Lottery to create an endowment for the program.

Read more: http://www.alternet.org/education/tennessee-education

[daleanime]

1. A good start....

[daleo]

2. For 34 dollars, who could argue?

[exboyfil]

3. As opposed to about $4,800/yr

tuition at our 2 year colleges in Iowa. Most aid would be in the form of Pell Grants. I do know our local college spends quite a bit of time trying to recruit my older daughter who is graduating in May.

[NYC_SKP]

4. I recommended this OP.

Great news, a model that should be replicated nationwide.

[blue14u]

9. Hi NYC_SKP

Please share with me a way to copy your "Elizabeth Warren for President"
link. I have the older one and love the brighter blue in your's..

Thank you ahead of time..

I am Warren all the way!

[NYC_SKP]

14. I'm pasting the direct link to where it lives on the Internet:

Here is the pic, you should be able to "right click, save as" to your desktop:



Or copy and past this URL into your browser, then add ".jpg" and hit "enter".

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l217/Shockwave_73/warren_2016_bumper_sticker

[blue14u]

16. Thanks again NYC

I got it done!!!

[fujiyama]

5. Good for Tennessee!

Good use of Lottery funds.

[okaawhatever]

6. Sorry, I don't agree with this. Lottery tickets are purchased largely by low-income and desperate

people. (I don't blame them, don't get me wrong). It's the poor people hoping to catch a break paying for middle and upper class families education. The education dollars need to be spent elsewhere, sorry folks. I don't support it. There are many adults who are in low-income or minimum wage who need help. The money could go to programs for at-risk youth in the state education system. There are all kinds of good uses for that money, but this isn't one of them. Also, there was already a 1,500 or 2,500 grant each freshman received. They kept it for two or four years (can't remember) as long as they kept their grades up.

[blkmusclmachine]

7. Let me guess: Only applicable at fundy rightwing "Bible colleges," and then only for "Bible courses"

This is TN we're talking about, after all.

[hollysmom]

10. ha ha, I was going to say where else can kids being taught creationism

get a higher education. They won't pass for out of state schools.

[jmowreader]

8. There should probably be a "million" in there somewhere

Not real likely they can send every high school grad in the state of Tennessee to community college for thirty-four dollars.

[jtuck004]

11. We should do away with tuition at every single j.c. in the country. Open it up

to all and invest in the infrastructure it needs, get more online and get people used to doing 1, perhaps 2 classes a year for the rest of their lives.

The return would be incredible.

[Android3.14]

12. There's a lesson for Dems here

Granted, the article is from alternet, but lets assume for the moment it ii basically accurate. This is a popular issue and it is unfortunate the Repugs are stepping ahead of the curve.
The Dems are going to appear as if the GOP is leading them by the nose unless they step up for a national push for public higher education.
In Maine, a big reason Cutler is so popular and draining votes from Michaud is that Cutler supports a program of tuition forgiveness through income tax for college students who work and live in Maine after college.
Public support for college would be a long-term massive boost to our economy if young folks had insurance and training. New business, qualified healthy workers, and more opportunity.
This is a key issue that could help us win the House and keep the Senate.

[riderinthestorm]

13. +100000 nt

[CFLDem]

17. Considering an associates isn't worth anything

these days, I'd say free is the right price.