Chris West writes for the Martin Center about problems associated with proposals to provide “free college.”

… [F]ree college programs disproportionately benefit students from middle-class and wealthier backgrounds because those students do not qualify for federal Pell Grants or other assistance. The American Association of Community Colleges estimates that 25 percent of community colleges students—especially those from low-income backgrounds—can already attend for free or nearly free due to the availability of other federal, state, and institution aid programs.

Another example of how free college misses its low-income target is North Carolina. In 2014, 65 percent of community college students there received some sort of grant assistance, totaling $4,592 per student on average, even though the average cost of attendance was only $3,313. The financial needs of low-income students are already met by existing aid.

This is true nationally. In the 2015-2016 year, 78 percent of community college students nationwide receive federal Pell Grant assistance. These numbers suggest that it is not the price tag of community colleges and trade schools that deter low-income students from attending. Nor is the mentoring side of the program encouraging large numbers of low-income young people to choose community college as the next step after high school. …

… In the face of a crippling student debt crisis, it is understandable why “free” college is so appealing to policymakers hoping to attract middle-class voters. But it is hardly good policy to create a permanent and unnecessary entitlement program for the middle class. People should also be suspicious of claims that their prosperity depends primarily on higher education. While it is true that the future economy will grow more sophisticated and knowledge-dependent, it is best to let educational levels rise as needed, rather than trying to force people into educational programs for jobs that don’t exist—and may never exist.