The Promise of Free College (and Its Potential Pitfalls):

Abstract

T he price of college is rising, making college feel out of reach for a rising share of Americans. Families can borrow to be sure, but with total student loan debt now above $1 trillion nationally, the situation seems unsustainable. Meanwhile, we face a long-term decline in our international ranking on college attainment and the disparities in college access by race and income-disparities that financial aid and loans are supposed to address-seem larger than ever. It is no surprise then that in the campaign for U.S. President in the 2016 election, nearly all candidates of both major political parties raised the issue of college affordability. Increasing financial aid to students is one obvious potential solution. Once limited to discussions of the size of need-based aid programs such as Pell grants and state-based merit aid programs, new forms of aid have emerged. Place-based "promise scholarships" provide funds to students attending schools in certain cities and states. Others have proposed changes on a national scale, increasing and redesigning financial aid to eliminate student loan debt, called debt-free college, or going even further by eliminating tuition, fees, and/or some share of living expenses-free college. This study examines one of the first randomized control trials of a program similar to many free college and promise scholarship proposals. The Degree Project was launched in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) in 2011. Students in 18 randomly selected high schools were promised up to $12,000

Depicting the Ecosystems of Support and Financial Sustainability for Five College Promise Populations

“…Research shows that when students and their parents understand that college is an option and receive information and guidance about college costs and application processes, including completing the FAFSA, they are more likely to have a smooth transition to college (Bartik et al, 2017; Bettinger et al, 2012; Cornwell et al, 2006; Dynarski, 2000; Harris et al, 2018; Hoxby & Turner, 2013; Maynard et al, 2014; Radunzel, 2014; Roderick et al, 2009). College promise programs, along with their K–12 system partners and local media, can collaborate to provide targeted messages and specific supports to students and their families as early as kindergarten and throughout their high school years.…”

“…College promise leaders cannot rely exclusively on financial assistance to ensure student access and success, particularly for students in low‐income situations and students of color (Perna & Kurban, 2013). Students from low‐income communities are less likely to have the information and support needed to gain access to college, to be prepared to navigate the complexities of college life, and to be prepared academically to succeed (De La Rosa, 2006; Harris et al, 2018; Roderick et al, 2009). College promise programs can provide the additional support needed through academic support and student services.…”

What Is the Problem With Student Debt?

“…They experience undue stress in dealing with the financial aid process, which repeats annually, and lose valuable time during both application and verification periods. The practice of today's financial aid system is costly, confusing, and not overcome without significant expenditures of time and other resources (Bettinger et al., 2012; Harris, 2018).…”

Addressing the Student Debt Crisis

“…They experience undue stress in dealing with the financial aid process, which repeats annually, and lose valuable time during both application and verification periods. The practice of today's financial aid system is costly, confusing, and not overcome without significant expenditures of time and other resources (Bettinger et al, 2012;Harris, 2018).…”