So some readers will recall that President Clinton introduced income based repayment of student loans. The idea was that students who graduated with a mountain of student loan debt and found it impossible to repay could be protected from a credit whack and eventually have their loan forgiven.

The bill of course would be picked up by tax payers.

It wasn't that well known of a program, but Obama, apparently feeling guilty about encouraging people to stop looking for jobs and return to school, actually promoted the program, mailing out notices to loan holders that their repayment monthly would be tied to income and could be as low as $0.

One student has a debt of $245,000, a debt run up as she got her Psychology PHD. She's working part time, cause you know, her payment is tied to income, and only earns $35,000. She pays a whopping $100 a month on the debt rather than the $2,000 she otherwise should be paying.

Since 2012 when Obama promoted the program the volume of income based repayment plans (all aimed at ultimate cancellation of the debt) have quadrupled. Current estimates are that of the $1.2 TRILLION in student loan debt, about $200 Billion will be repaid by taxpayers.

And now, colleges are actually giving students credit for taking classes that detail how the program works, how to enroll, and how to pay back the minimum amount on their loans.

Seriously.

Cause, you know, colleges are always looking for new ways to suck off the public dole.

Another class of people dependent on the largesse of the government.

Shooter wanders; how many are illegal immigrants?

 

Education should be free, regardless. I understand your frustration with this, but as long as education takes a back seat in this country, this will be an on going problem. Most Nordic countries offer free education to all of their people. Granted, they pay higher taxes than we do, but those taxes are put towards things like paying educators to train a better work force. I'm not saying their entire economic model is completely sound, but those fucking vikings atleast have something down pat.

 

Countries that give free education to the post graduate level do not give it to everyone. You have to pass exams and perform well to get to the next step.

Still, I like their system better.

I have read on several occasions, so I suspect it is true, that two thirds of colleges and universities accept anyone with a high school degree and tuition money. People who go to a school like that and major in the social sciences or liberal arts are probably wasting their time and money.

Those who love the liberal arts and social sciences, like I do, can study them for free in public libraries. Most people live happy and productive lives without knowing or caring that guys like Aristotle existed. For most people the study of Shakespeare is probably no more enjoyable than the study of auto mechanics. Nevertheless, those who study auto mechanics gets jobs. Few employers care about one's knowledge of Shakespeare or Aristotle.

 

I know. I said they offer it. I should have worded it better, but yes, their system is better than what we offer.
And you are right about the liberal arts. Those should only be taken if you plan on actually teaching and need a degree to back it up. Universities for the most part don't care if the course study rewards you with possibilities for gainful employment. They just want that cash.

 

All the new illegal immigrants running the government will be proud

 

Buffet, Gates and Trump find ways around taxes.....

students find ways not to repay school loans.....

 

quote; And now, colleges are actually giving students credit for taking classes that detail how the program works, how to enroll, and how to pay back the minimum amount on their loans.

Classic.

Uni's encouraging students to use their loan money to get credits from learning how to cheat , oops I mean beat , no no , um that's should be use , , no ? , well understand the system.

the true spirit of free enterprise

 

There is no "free" education. Someone has to pay.
As screwed up as our education system is (thank you Teachers unions in part) a tax payer education system would never work. It would just be another free handout.

 

My undergrad degree is fine arts (poetry) and I'm in the evil 1% this year (it varies). Just saying. Liberal Arts produce graduates who spend their lives learning with eyes wide open. I don't abide the push now to transform our colleges into vocational schools.

Then again, you only get what you put into it. And kids who waste four credit hours learning how to cheat on paying their bills are not bound to be high achievers.

I don't know if college education should be taxpayer funded (I tend to think kids appreciate the experience more if they themselves earn it), but the bar for entry should definitely be much higher.

 

I pretty much paid my way through school. My parents helped when they could, but in the end it was up to me.
I had up to 3 part time jobs until I got lucky and got a government job; all of a sudden I wasn't allowed to work and go to school more than 40 hours a week, and got paid for 40. And, I had an assistant who typed my papers and I had a freaking city car.

When my daughter wanted to be a pilot the first year was going to be $40,000. I told her; we'll help with the first year, then you better get scholarships.

Instead she decided to be a model. Saved me $40 grand.

 

If the govt was doing all that for you....do you not realize the gov is the taxpayers..............

jesus Christ......and someone else did your papers for you.............

 

If more kids went to public schools, especially in-state, they wouldn't be saddled with so much debt when they graduate. Unless they try to be professional students like that psychological dead beat.

 

If not the entry bar being raised, at least raise the exit bar. I'm exposed to people every day that make me wonder what the hell they did at college.

 

Even if you want to teach you will have a better chance of getting a job majoring in mathematics, one of the experimental sciences, or a foreign language.

I have read that in Communist China they eliminate majors where graduates have trouble getting jobs. I think that is a good idea.

Students who share my interest in the liberal arts and the social sciences should take a few introductory courses as electives. I am in favor of a liberal arts education. I am opposed to majoring in the liberal arts. If you go to college you simply need to learn something an employer will value.

The worst thing to major in is something like black studies, Hispanic studies, women's studies, or gay studies. Those teach that blacks, Hispanics, women, or gays have been oppressed. They leave a student with a sense of personal and collective grievance. This is understood by employers.

 

I hate posting here! I'm always afraid of getting flamed!

I chose an in-state school. I have an academic scholarship, that pays about 70% of my tuition. ( only available to in-state students. ) I also have an athletic scholarship that pays for housing and food vouchers. I work very hard all summer at a 50 hr. a week job to save as much as I can. I admit that my family put some money aside for me, and my boyfriend also helps out, but so far I have been able to make it without student loans.

I know others that for whatever reason chose an out of state college, and are paying/borrowing huge amounts because of it! Why? One school over another is NOT going to make that much of a difference! It is a problem of wanting to get away and feeling that a government loan is akin to a paid vacation.

I hope to continue my education on to the next level and achieve my law degree, But I will sooner keep working construction and paying my way before I will ask for a loan to do it! When I do achieve my goal, and know that I owe no one ( except the family that I was blessed with. ) anything. Success will taste that much sweeter!

 

not all schools are viewed equal
for law students the ultimate ideal is harvard despite the fact that there are other schools that teach the same program
it is the staff that makes that difference
there is nothing wrong or shameful about attending an in state school or even a vocational school if it serves your needs
and i would be a hypocrite if i said that scholarships based on race are wrong because i used that to help pat for my education
but using race to base entry should be illegal
i do believe that any scholarship should include the requirement that the recipient works in the field in which they study and then after graduation provides funds to support the future of that grant for future students
should college be free? hell no you should have to earn it

 

Dont fear being flamed, just consider it terms of endearment.

Good for you, I know and understand how difficult college tuition is today, racking up thousands of dollars of debt, and uncertain of your future, that's one hell of a gamble. I know of one young gal that works just as hard as you, if not harder, yet, not a single one of her classmates can hold a job.

It's really no wonder why this nation has a national debt of $18.2 trillion.

Kids of today, are nurtured, mothered and suckled way too much, they believe that they deserve all the handouts that is directed their way, and get angry when they dont get handout.

GOOD LUCK to you, sincerely.

In my mind, there are too many that go for higher education today, nobody is going into the blue collar field, I'm in the excavating business, there isn't any of the younger generation in the field anymore, their undependable as fuck, you can't count on them to show up for work, and you damn sure cant count on them to even work, when they are on the job.

Everyone wants a paycheck, it's very rare to find a youngster that really wants to earn it.

 

not all schools are viewed equal
for law students the ultimate ideal is harvard despite the fact that there are other schools that teach the same program
it is the staff that makes that difference
there is nothing wrong or shameful about attending an in state school or even a vocational school if it serves your needs
and i would be a hypocrite if i said that scholarships based on race are wrong because i used that to help pat for my education
but using race to base entry should be illegal
i do believe that any scholarship should include the requirement that the recipient works in the field in which they study and then after graduation provides funds to support the future of that grant for future students
should college be free? hell no you should have to earn it

 

I agree, but for your undergraduate degree, it really doesn't matter. If I do well in my state college, the Law School of my choice should be attainable.