Dean Unveils $7.1B Higher Education Plan

[dajabr]

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean is offering a plan to provide college students with $10,000 a year in federal financial aid as part of his $7.1 billion higher education program.

The mix of federal grants and loans would go to students who do not plan to attend a traditional college or university but are planning some kind of career training beyond high school, according to an outline of the program obtained by The Associated Press.

Dean would finance his plan by repealing all of President Bush's tax cuts.

"Ensuring that the dream of a college education and the ability to serve our country can be a reality for all of our children will go a long way toward ensuring opportunity for all," Dean said in remarks he prepared to deliver Thursday at Dartmouth College.

The former Vermont governor would guarantee that Americans would not have to pay more than 10 percent of their income toward loans after graduation. He would hold the debt obligation to 7 percent for students entering what he dubbed the "Public Service Corps" — professions such as nursing, teaching, social work, law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical care.

More: http://www.ftimes.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=18861

[curse10]

1. More loans?

the last thing I fucking need is more loan money. I can get that (40 grand a fucking year for school). Another 10 grand in loans is just going to make my debt sky-rocket!

It took him this long to come out with a higher education plan and this is it? What crap.

[MercutioATC]

2. You obviously missed two important items in the plan:

1) The $10k is partly grant, partly loan.

2) For certain professions, all loans would be forgiven after 10 years.

This is a bad thing how?

[curse10]

4. The loan part is what I take issue with

the fact that "certain" professions are given preference is another. What? Kids that want to go into the arts, writing books, astronomy, or engineering don't deserve to have their loans taken care of too?

And to be eligible for the program the kid has to vow in the 8th grade to go to college. I wouldn't even be eligible. I want someone to help me now. Heck, even Lieberman's program would help people already in college.


and I didn't miss anything in the article- I responded with what I found most irritating with Dean's plan. I've been awaiting this since I think every other candidate has had a higher education plan for months. I was expecting something "fabulous." His program just seems to be lacking. Like many of his other programs he wants to impliment. Just another reason for me not to support Dean.

[MercutioATC]

6. The article states that this is "part" of his $7.1B higher education plan.

This does not represent the entire plan.

I see nothing wrong with offering incentives to people willing to enter traditionally understaffed professions that have an impact on public health or education. Nobody is losing out here, some people are just getting a bonus if they choose certain careers. We need teachers and nurses and a host of other professionals in fields that are traditionally understaffed. In what way does it not serve our collective good to offer incentives to enter these fields?

If this were his entire higher education plan, I could understand your disappointment. It's not.

[ima_sinnic]

3. it says "a mix of grants and loans"

also, (I might be wrong on this) I don't think federal aid is now available for those attending "nontraditional" universities and colleges, which Dean's plan specifically targets. and even as loans, the cap of 7% or 10% of income for repayment would be a help (I too have a lot of student loans to repay).

The article is not very detailed and I don't see anything yet on his web site. I will withhold judgment until I can find out all details.

[curse10]

5. So, based on the article

preference is given to those going into a given profession and those going to alternative schools. Great. Where does that help the millions of students going to traditional universities or wanting to be something outside what Dean has chosen to promote?

[Brucey]

7. The US is wealthy enough to give nearly free college tuition.

More loans is not the answer. Higher education is a very important part of life, personal and occupational. It should be cheap enough for everyone who wants it; and everyone should be encouraged to try it. The rich can pay, but poor people need help. Higher ed should be like K-12.

[MercutioATC]

8. Great way to spend part of the surplus once we balance the budget.

I agree with you, but there's no way to pay for it right now. I'd like to see it become a priority once we get our financial house in order, however.