Offer Free College & Trade School
Currently, roughly 65% of jobs require a postsecondary certification. While these requirements have increased, access to funding for schooling has decreased as the cost has continued to rise. The average published cost of tuition and fees grew from $1,810 to $3,770 at public 2-year institutions, from $3,800 to $10,560 at public 4-year institutions, and from $18,560 to $37,650 at private, not-for-profit 4-year institutions from 1990 to 2020.
American workers need and deserve additional support to build their skills, increase their earnings, remain competitive, and share in the benefits of the new economy. Free college and trade school would dramatically change access, affordability, and attainment in America, and could be the most significant investment in postsecondary education since the Pell Grant was created in 1972. Investing in our nation's postsecondary infrastructure and removing financial and student support barriers are critical solutions to providing our nation’s students with the knowledge and skills needed for a competitive workforce and prosperous communities and states, ensuring not only the promise of college, but the promise of economic, social, and civic opportunity to all Americans.
Currently, there are federal proposals to offer 2 years of free community college to all Americans including DREAMERS. This plan has been scaled back from original version which included 4-year institutions. The $109 billion plan would ensure that first-time students and workers wanting to reskill can enroll in a community college to earn a degree or credential for free.