Introduction
With bipartisan support, local, state, and federal policymakers are trying to address the barriers posed by the high cost of college. One possible solution, “free college,” could drastically alter the course of higher education and greatly benefit individuals and society.
Overview
In this brief, we offer policymakers, educators, and activists a framework for analyzing and advocating an equity-driven policy on free college.
An Equity Analysis of State Free College Programs
To address historical failures in ensuring equitable outcomes, we created a framework for equity-driven policy and applied it to existing and proposed state-level free college programs.
What Do Free College Policies Cover?
A policy that truly makes college affordable for low-income students must help them cover, not just tuition, but all fees and expenses related to attending college—including living costs.
Free College for Whom? Eligibility Requirements as Barriers
Although free college programs purport to offer a universal benefit to all, eligibility requirements of some programs can severely limit participation. This is especially true among groups of students who already have limited access to college.
Do Free College Programs Serve Low-Income, Black, and Latino Students?
We encourage states to collect and publicly share data on participation, experiences, and outcomes in free college programs.
What Should Equity Champions Ask of Free College Policies?
Advocates for racial and social equity certainly should support the momentum around free college. But they should also work to ensure that programs are designed to serve the students most challenged by the affordability crisis. To do this, free college policies should do the following:
- Cover tuition and living expenses for low-income students.
- Cover fees along with tuition.
- Include four-year colleges and universities, and provide enough aid to support students in earning bachelor’s degrees.
- Eliminate eligibility criteria that limit the participation of students who stand to benefit the most, including part-time students, adult students, and those who need to leave the state to seek work.
- Publicly release data on program participation and outcomes, disaggregated by race and income.
- Incorporate strategic investments in support services to help students complete their programs.