When it comes to community colleges, there’s usually two schools of thought.
Some see the community colleges as mere extensions of high school. And since public school is free, why not give students two more years?
Welcome to the 13th and 14th grade.
The other more conventional view is that community colleges are great resources for all and represent the best way to cut down the high costs of college. Let students take care of basic requirements cheaply, then go to a great four-year college the last two years. It’s the “finishing school” approach. It’s worked in states like California, where the UC system openly welcomes qualified transfers.
Now President Obama has come up with a plan that combines both views of community college in a positive way. It recognizes community college as the great safety net in American society. And makes them free—conditionally.
According to the broad outlines as issued by the White House it’s fairly simple.
Students learn for free if they attend at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA, stay enrolled, get it free.
