Making College Affordable for Everyone
One of the greatest things about America is the promise that everyone
can make the most of their abilities and potential. It is this promise
- the American Dream - that lies at the cornerstone of our society.
Unfortunately, the American Dream is out of reach for millions of
Americans who cannot afford to get the education they need to make
the most of their skills and talents. Many careers now require a
four-year college degree as a basic requirement, thanks to the increasing
competition of the global marketplace, and that leaves the millions
of Americans without a college education at a serious disadvantage.
A college education is more essential than ever, but it is also more
expensive than ever. According to an analysis released last month
by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, more than two thirds
of families in Massachusetts last year still required approximately
$6300 beyond financial aid to afford a college education. It is
unacceptable that, in this most wealthy of nations, millions of youth
cannot afford the education they need to succeed. President Bush,
who promised to leave no child behind, has done nothing to help Americans
afford the steadily increasing costs of college.
In 2004, I developed a three-point plan to make college an affordable
reality for every American. Two years later, I still believe my
plan offers the best solution for America's youth.
First, I would create a $1000 early intervention scholarship to help
underprivileged children prepare for college. No one should be denied
the promise of a better future because of their economic background,
and my "I Have a Dream" scholarships would help make the American
Dream a reality for many underprivileged youth.
Second, the government must help students in college to better afford their education
by creating a "College Opportunity Tax Credit" that provides a tax credit for
up to $4000 a year in tuition. In addition, I would reward students who give
back to their communities by creating a "Service for College" program that would
pay four years of full tuition at a public college in exchange for two years
of community service. Students would enrich their communities and themselves
while at the same time earning a college education.
Third, the government must assist cash-strapped states by providing a "State
Tax Relief and Education Fund" which would provide fiscal relief to state governments
as long as they promised to stop tuition increases and higher education budget
cuts. If our state universities are able to operate without the constant threat
of budget cuts, they will be able to provide better services to their students,
which will encourage more youth to complete college.
Massachusetts is a state renowned for its higher education excellence, and I
believe that the opportunities our colleges offer should be available for everyone
who meets the academic requirements. Making college affordable for all is nothing
less than an investment in the future of our Commonwealth and the future of our
nation.
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