Collegiate Times

Sunday's Roanoke Times featured an article about our presidential candidates and their ideas for college funding.

It seems many out there are tired of the ever-rising tide of college costs, as well as the complicated loan applications and such that go along with the search for college funding. One in four parents would actually support a cap on college costs. Both candidates agree that a college education should be affordable to anyone, but they both plan to achieve this end differently.

Sen. Obama's plans seem to revolve around the idea of fairness: Most students could earn up to $4,000 a year in tax credits for college by giving 100 hours of their time in community service. He would also like to reform the student loan system so that the loans come directly from the government, instead of coming from some private banks that are subsidized by the government. Basically, Obama's plan means the government spends more money to make sure that college is more accessible to all.

Sen. McCain seems to have no new plans, but he claims he is committed to helping low-income students pay for college. He also supports keeping the student loan system how it is right now -- with private banks still competing for students' business.

This will, in theory, keep competition going between lenders, and it will keep the government from bogging itself down with even more financial responsibility. The farther away the government stays from my money right now, the better. But, I digress...

I don't think they are getting to the heart of the problem. We live in an age when just about anyone with the right amount of money can attend pretty much whatever college he or she wants (see: Bush, George W.). Here's what I say: reduce the number of higher education institutions by 20 percent and take the money issue completely out of it.  When colleges came about, they weren't meant for everyone. They were meant for the cream of the crop. As time passed and more colleges popped up, more and more students were admitted. No matter what, at some point(s) along the way, requirements for admission would have come down at least a time or two to ensure that each college has enough paying students to stay afloat.

The fact that more and more people are going to college is causing the value of a college education to lose its comparative value. Back when only 10 percent of people had college degrees, a college education set you apart from the other 90 percent. If you went to college, you were either assured a relatively lucrative job, or were at least in a position of advantage in obtaining one. Nowadays, a college degree no longer sets you apart from others trying to enter the workforce.  

I propose a system that would once again put meaning behind a degree. If you demonstrate in high school that you have worked your rear off and you want to attend college, great! If you don't have the money, the college of your choosing should have staff members devoted to making sure you have your grant, loan and scholarship applications in order.

I had a high school friend get accepted to Harvard. When I asked her how she'd be able to go, she said, "If Harvard accepts you, they will find a way to make sure you can go."

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