The State of New Mexico adopted a policy in 2022 that expands existing state-funded scholarship programs to ensure that undergraduate tuition will be fully covered for all state residents, and fees and housing for most. Depending on how you squint at it, it's probably the first state to have done so. Unfortunately the program does not have guaranteed funding going forward but there is a history of strong political support for state tuition programs and so, with fingers crossed, we can be optimistic that undergraduate debt will be a thing of the past for most students here.
It is perhaps reflective of this state's small size that there has been almost no national news coverage of the change, and even a lot of websites comparing state programs still haven't been updated to include the new changes that significantly expanded eligibility.
New Mexico also makes it relatively easy for students to establish in-state classification after moving into the state for college, so we can expect a number of out-of-state students to take advantage as well.
Middle class families can pay for school: In 2019-20 in state tuition and fees in California averaged $9k. 100% of which you can take a federal loan and payback <$150/mo that begins 6 months after graduating.
Rent/living cost is another matter, but tuition can be still be reasonable if you state in state and don’t attend expense universities.
But I totally agree - there is a lower/lower middle class of people that attending college is vet challenging and free tuition for all at some schools would be massively beneficial for them and society.
Even if you live at home and stay on your parents plan in state tuition is 14k. Add another 2k for books and at a minimum your talking 16k. That's a pretty big chunk if your only at 150k for a family of 4.
If I was to propose something I'd make in state tuition fully free for residents, and if that cost too much maybe make people do the first 2 years at a community college. Honestly I credit community college with turning my life around. I ended up graduating from a state school and I'm very happy with my degree! It's not in computer science, but after a very long journey I feel it's something to be proud of.
The best part about college is your free to take time off and finish later.
That 9k number I bet is averaging community colages with California State and University of california, because 9k is far too low from my two kids recent tuitions.
It's already difficult to attend California's public universities as a state resident; the more popular campuses prefer nonresidents/international students because they pay full price. No-tuition residents will be even less desired by admissions offices.
Admissions data at UC Berkeley shows that nonresident students have historically been ~35% of admits, with 2022 at 28%. UCLA historically has had ~40% nonresident admits, with 2022 at 34%[0]. UCLA’s freshman profile shows that GPA and SAT/ACT scores (from when they were still required) are higher for nonresidents as well[1]. It’s reasonable to argue that resident admit percentage should be higher, but the idea that nonresidents are preferred isn’t supposed by admissions data.
As for the nonresident tuition issue, it seems like a matter of having the state make up the difference between resident and nonresident tuition so that the university receives the same fee regardless of residency status.
Do blue collar workers require healthcare from college educated people? Do they benefit when American industry is competitive on in the international marketplace?
We shouldn’t be leaving people behind but the idea is that we all benefit from an educated workforce.
There’s plenty of arguments to be made over the details but let’s not miss the big picture here.
Realistically this doesn't change much since it's extremely unlikely a foster kid wouldn't qualify for a full ride prior to this.
The only people who really get screwed are middle class families who make too much to qualify for aid, but can't really afford to pay for school.