Tuition-free colleges were once unfathomable, especially in the US but now, we have over ten states offering free college to prospective students. Tuition for both private and public schools increased drastically over the last decade. Now, prospective students who can’t afford the tuition have the opportunity to attend college for free.
More states are adopting the scholarship program as a way to boost ease of access admission as well as help students overcome the tuition costs in colleges. Here, we will discuss these tuition-free colleges, how it works, the states that have adopted it, and how to qualify for it.
What Prompted the Tuition-Free College Idea?
In 2015, President Obama recommended making community colleges free across the country. This was the first time free college started to feel like a real possibility, and a lot of people thought the idea was far-fetched. More light was shone on this situation when other politicians threw in their support of this idea. Since then, several states like Tennessee have developed scholarships that allowed high school graduates to go to school for free. So, how does the tuition-free college plan work?
Understanding the Plan
Most states offer students scholarships, which will cover the remaining tuition costs after making use of different other needs-based grants. Some states offer plans that are restricted to fresh high school graduates while others have an income cap.
You must understand that free tuition doesn’t mean that there won’t be other costs. The students have to pay for housing on campus as well as additional fees that cover books, technology, and others. Some of the states offering this free tuition include Oregon, Tennessee, New York, Kentucky, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Arkansas. Wondering where the tuition-free colleges stand?
Examples of State Programs Which Offer Free College
New York
New York’s Excelsior Scholarship was the first scholarship in the country to cover the tuition of four years without a clause related to academic performance. The students eligible for this scholarship will not need to pay for any tuition at both the City and the State University of New York. However, students with families who earn more than $125,000 will not be eligible for this scholarship.
Rhode Island
Fresh high school graduates will get free tuition when they register at Rhode Island Community College. However, they must maintain a 2.5 GPA while being enrolled in the school full time. The students are also required to work and live in Rhode Island after finishing their degree.
Tennessee
Students, as well as adults in Tennessee, are eligible for free tuition in technical schools and community colleges in the state. However, they only remain qualified if they don’t have any degree before enrollment. They must also maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete community service.
Not everyone lives in a state that offers tuition-free college. Most people end up saddled with student debt. If your monthly payments are prohibitive, you may have options. Elias Dsouza of Dsouza Legal group has the knowledge and experience to navigate the complex issue of student loan modification. Contact Elias today for a free consultation.