President’s plan for free community college sparks local conversation

WOKV

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/presidents-plan-free-community-college-sparks-loca/njj9t/

By Anneliese Delgado

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. — Like many things in politics, President Obama’s newest education proposal is receiving mixed reactions.  The president proposed a plan that would allow certain students to attend two years of community college for free.  

Like everything in life, nothing is really free.  The program is expected to cost $60 billion over the next 10 years, according to White House spokesman Eric Schultz.

“It sounds like a lot of money, but our government has it,” said John Davis.  “And it’s for a better cause, I mean, education is everything right now.”   

The former Florida State College at Jacksonville student said he had to drop his courses because he could not afford to pay tuition and rent.

The 20-year-old told WOKV he lost his financial aid after his GPA dropped under the requirements.   

Under President Obama’s proposal, students would only qualify if they were able to maintain a 2.5 GPA.

“Thank goodness we are all now realizing the importance of additional education beyond high school,” said FSCJ President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau. “That is the future of our world, that is the future of healthy communities.”

Dr. Bioteau said she is confident the FSCJ campuses will be able to handle an influx of students if the plan goes into effect.  About 30,000 students are registered for classes at FSCJ for the spring semester either virtually or on a campus, according to Dr. Bioteau.    

Even though students are able to receive a Bachelor’s degree from FSCJ, Dr. Bioteau said the institution would still be considered a community college. 

Many people on the WOKV Facebook page do not agree with the president’s plan and think students should pay for their own tuition.   

President Obama is scheduled to release more details about his plan at a community college in Tennessee Friday.  

If every state adopts the program, about 9 million students could participate.  Early reports show the program would save qualifying students about $3,800 a year.