President Obama’s vision helps make higher education more accessible

President Barack Obama has announced a proposal to make higher education more accessible by publicly funding two years of community college education in the United States.

“Put simply, what I’d like to do is to see the first two years of community college free for everybody who’s willing to work for it,” President Obama said.

The proposal, known as America’s College Promise, would be a matching grant program in which the federal government would pay for 75 percent of the average cost of community college, meaning tuition and fees would be covered upfront rather than the total price of attendance. Participating states would be required to cover the remaining tuition balance.

Community College of Vermont President Joyce Judy said she found the President’s announcement intriguing.

“If this plan were to come to fruition, it would prove to be a tremendous opportunity for students across the country and here in Vermont,” Judy said. “Post-secondary education is vital to economic independence in the 21st century, and community colleges represent a significant opportunity to enter post-secondary education for many Americans.”

Obama will introduce the full proposal, including the estimated price tag, as part of his State of the Union address later this month.

Scott Giles, President of VSAC, said “President Obama’s vision for an educated workforce is one we share. VSAC’s goal is to make sure every Vermonter can pursue studies after high school. Today’s economy demands a skilled workforce. Education and training after high school is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. This should be a priority and a commitment to the state’s future – both for Vermonters and the state’s economy.

“For 50 years, VSAC has worked with Vermont students and their families to provide the tools and means to pursue their education and career goals. Vermont’s reputation for high quality education is at risk unless we support policies that make education and training after high school a reality for all Vermonters. The twin challenge of access and affordability is one of the most important social justice and economic inequality issues facing our state. Only by acknowledging these issues will we come together to solve them.”