Exactly! I totally agree with the article.
One aspect it doesn't address that I've been thinking about w/ government subsidized higher education is the following:
When a student receives a loan/grant, they are not as frugal - in almost every case I have personally seen (observing friends and colleagues at my school). I really do believe that college is a great thing for everyone - but I do not believe that everyone should go to college. The article touched on that a bit:
Quote:
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A side effect of this policy is that it attracts more poorly qualified and less motivated students who value higher education less than others who are willing to pay the full price. Colleges have to devote more resources to remedial programs, and students in these programs have a greater dropout rate.
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So besides attracting less-motivated students, I believe that even the motivated students are crippled (perhaps a less-harsh word would be more appropriate here) by the help. They do not learn from the school of hard knocks if you will. They don't grow accustomed to really scraping by - and I think there's a lot to learn there for me and most everyone else. Adversity builds strength of character the vast majority of the time. When people are just "given" their education (or most anything else) they (1) don't appreciate it as much (2) don't work as hard at it and (3) grow accustomed to a lifestyle they have not yet earned and/or don't deserve. They end up with a sense of entitlement - and that is what is crippling.
This article was great Terry. Thanks again. I guess I have two gripes about the subsidization: (1) it increases tuition costs and (2) it robs students of valuable life-lessons.
I'd be curious to hear other forum members' viewpoints!