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AN: Local college responds to president's call for free community college for all
Action News
In his final State of the Union Address, Obama laid out his progress, his regrets and the things he'd still like to accomplish, including free community college for all.
Sarah McCarthy, a student at FSCJ, said she thinks it’s going to be hard to accomplish.
“We're not made of money in the United States, but if there was a way, it would be awesome," McCarthy said.
Under the proposal, students must get at least six credits a semester, maintain a 2.5 GPA and make steady progress toward completing their program. Three-fourths of it would be federally funded. The participating states would be expected to fund the rest.
Computer science student Nery Etienne said it all sounds good to him.
"More professionally in the workforce -- that will definitely be a plus," Etienne said.
Dr. Cynthia Bioteau, president of Florida State College at Jacksonville, said she is for a modified version of the president's plan.
"If then you have the opportunity to gain work experience through paid internships and apprenticeships, not only with a degree, but also debt-free,” Bioteau said. “I really like that perspective of how Obama is trying to open access to all our community members."
Congress would have to get on board the no-cost college idea for it to move forward, but everyone on campus at FSCJ on Wednesday agreed that it’s a start.
"Lots of people want to go to school, but they can't because of money and that's sad," McCarthy said.