Students across U.S. to march over debt, free public college

[kscarbel2]

Reuters / November 12, 2015

Students were set to walk out of classrooms across the United States on Thursday to protest ballooning student loan debt for higher education and rally for tuition-free public colleges and a minimum wage hike for campus workers.

The demonstrations are planned just two days after thousands of fast-food workers took to the streets in a nationwide day of action pushing for a $15-an-hour minimum wage and union rights for the industry.

Events for Thursday's protests, dubbed the Million Student March, have been planned at colleges and universities from Los Angeles to New York. Thousands of people signed up to attend on Facebook groups, though it remained to be seen how many would ultimately participate.

"Education should be free. The United States is the richest country in the world, yet students have to take on crippling debt in order to get a college education," the movement's organizers said in a statement on their website.

Organizers are demanding tuition-free public colleges, a cancellation of all student debt and a $15-an-hour minimum wage for campus workers.

The total volume of outstanding U.S. student loan debt has more than doubled to $1.2 trillion, according to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, compared with less than $600 billion in 2006.

The bureau said there are some 8 million private and federal loan borrowers in default, representing more than $110 billion, while millions more are finding it difficult to keep up with repayments.

Saddled with debt that can sometimes run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, many college graduates have struggled to make payments amid an ailing economy and job market.

Dealing with swiftly mounting student loan debt has been a focus of candidates vying for the White House in 2016.

Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders has vowed to make tuition free at public universities and colleges, and has pledged to cut interest rates for student loans.

His rival Hillary Clinton has said she would increase access to tuition grants, let graduates refinance loans at lower interest rates, and streamline income-based repayment plans.

Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is the most prominent Republican candidate to lay out a concrete proposal, saying he would establish an income-based repayment system for federal student loans, and would simplify the application process for federal aid.

"This is clearly an urgent crisis, but establishment politicians from both parties are failing to take action," their statement said.

[kscarbel2]

"Education should be free,” they say. Why?

Free college in the U.S., boy, make way for another wave of immigrants who want to milk America for its freebies. Foreign countries will shut down their institutions for higher learning and allow them to come here. Think of the money they’ll save.

The U.S. doesn’t have the money anyway because we’re handing it out overseas in the form of economic aid and foreign military assistance.

$15 an hour minimum wage so people can make countersales at McDonalds a career? I don’t think so.

Today's generation.......they want to have their cake and eat it too..........and they don't want to have to pay for it. They want to zip up to the top rather than work their way up the ladder, or..........they have no ambition at all and are living at home with their parents, jobless, through their twenties.

[TeamsterGrrrl]

Back in the 70s I took a six month full time training program in our local public technical college, total tuition was under $300. I couldn't have afforded to pay much more, and were it not for that program that led to a three decade long career in the trucking business, Instead of being retired with a pension and keeping the local car and motorcycle dealers in business I'd probably be on welfare.

So maybe a few breaks for the young folks just gettin' started in a career ain't so dumb an idea?

[Outbehindthebarn]

It took me 11 years to finish my undergraduate degree. Eleven years of pinching pennies and pinching cow titties (quite literally). I paid for all of it, at a private school, on time, without any credit/loans whatsoever. I got a so-called 'useless' liberal arts degree, after 4 semesters of studying Biology. I value my degree in ways a free education never could.

Take the onus of personal responsibility for payment away, and the education becomes even more worthless. I've seen it.

I know students who amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of school debt and laugh at the prospect of EVER paying it back. I call them thieves.

Don't tell me school should be free.

[david wild]

What I don't understand is how the nit wits in Government cannot figure out is that if you have hamburger slingers making 15 per hour how we are going to build anything here with higher cost and then export it and compete in a global market with people who work for less, build for less and sell for less, what magic allows you to spend, more cost more and compete with a less costly product. I need to know the magic that allows me to pay more for my fuel, my insurance, wages, repairs and taxes yet still makes me a profit when I compete with the the rate cutting scum who steal fuel, don't fix their trucks and do not pay taxes and get free health care.

[DailyDiesel]

It's insane that we allow young people to take on what are essentially unsecured loans for thousands of dollars if not hundreds of thousands. Every year when I was in college tuition increase 3 to 6 percent. There was no recourse, no explanation by the college, loans were just rubber stamped and the increase passed onto students. No other business gets away that crap and make no mistake, college is a business.

How do you expect little Johnny and Susie to move out of their parents home when they essentially have a mortgage payment in student loans? The system is messed up.

[TeamsterGrrrl]

Now that I don't need it, I can take public college and university course for free here in Minnesota, and if I want credit the tuition is a measly $10 to $20 a credit, about a tenth of what students under age 62 pays. If the state can afford to give me free or darn near free college, why not extend the priviledge to the young folks that really need it?

[Outbehindthebarn]

It's insane that we allow young people to take on what are essentially unsecured loans for thousands of dollars if not hundreds of thousands. Every year when I was in college tuition increase 3 to 6 percent. There was no recourse, no explanation by the college, loans were just rubber stamped and the increase passed onto students. No other business gets away that crap and make no mistake, college is a business.

How do you expect little Johnny and Susie to move out of their parents home when they essentially have a mortgage payment in student loans? The system is messed up.

Young people are not children. The "we" in your statement is the "nanny state?"

The loans may be rubber stamped, but nobody held a gun to these students heads and forced them to make the university profitable.

I absolutely agree that its a business too.

[david wild]

The biggest problem with the colleges is they sell the student on a degrees that means nothing, 4 years of college and you graduate with a degree in basket weaving. I battled with my step son for 5 years about his chosen path and degree, now he is 31 and his degree that his college counselors sold him on is worthless and he now admits I was right, does he go back or move on, luckily he like the Heavy Transport biz and may carry on. To bad I did not like it anymore.

[41chevy]

Give it all away and add free food, housing and clothing too hell throw in a nice Bimmer too. I can work another 15 or 20 years to pay for it.

[gearhead204]

the system needs fixing that's for sure! but a "free education" is not worth any thing when I went to trade school I paid for 75% and grants paid the other 25%. I never missed a day of school because I was paying for it! and about the same story when I attended community collage. Now my son who never had an unexcused absence in 12 years of school and graduated top of his class got a gates grant which paid for 4 years of university education, the kid damn near flunked out of school his second year and I had to threaten him with his life to get him back in line and this cost him a extra year of 30,000 to get his degree but you know what? when you pay for some thing you tend to want to get what you pay for. and he finally did and graduated with honors.

[41chevy]

Just curious, how much of the cost is teaching subject matter that the student failed to learn in high school?

My sister just retired from C.W.Post College, she was Assistant Dean of Admissions. She was constantly amazed that students came there with 6th, 7th or 8th grade reading skills, passed high school advanced math courses and can't do any.

[Gmerrill0516]

There are plenty of options to get you through school if you want to. Like anything else, if you don't plan, don't seek options, don't take responsibility and have to go to "the" school that costs$50K/year then yes, you will amass a load of debt that your lack of planning and bad choices has earned you. If it's all free, then many people will not put any effort into it and it will further water down the educational system.

My 16 year old wants to be a veterinarian, and is looking at all her options. She found a school that can get her there and is about $10K a year. Options are out there. Free my a$$. I am not going to live long enough to pay for my share of lay abouts who can't be bothered to help themselves. Education is a business and something should be done to keep everyone honest....as honest as a pack of liberals and union folks can be...oh and I forgot Godless...

[Vladislav]

Overhere we had and still generally have a free education.

Both in a school and a high school.

At least more than a half of kids/students prefere to steer away of doing their study well.

Generally try to get their marks formal.

For the last two decades lots of commercial schools and high schools became in existance.

The matter is the same or much worse in some places.

Parents want to make their children nice and clever and pay ower the education.

Or in many cases they have to pay since a kid can't take exams good enough to get a free high school vacation.

It's not too easy to say exactly that's good or bad.

On one side there's nothing worse when some one is forced (and been payed for) to get skills he doesn't want to.

On the other - those half- or one third - studied individums became a bit more intelligent members of society than non-educated at all.

This might sound good if we don't mention a cost of.

Some other way it looks like this country still has strong troubles to get off the Socialistic way.

People became lazy. They don't forced to work by the government like during the Soviet Union times but still used to get many goodies for free.

As for me personaly my kid studies in a private (not free) school. It's some bit of expence but I pay for a good quality of studying and very true approach of giving info and skills. Hope he'll be able to take exams fine to get a high quality toll-free high grade in some good state university.

By the word Germany provides education for free either. Being a student I had a chance to go for a high grade study there.

Just needed some cash to cover the living. It wasn't crazy expensive though.

[Outbehindthebarn]

Just curious, how much of the cost is teaching subject matter that the student failed to learn in high school?

My sister just retired from C.W.Post College, she was Assistant Dean of Admissions. She was constantly amazed that students came there with 6th, 7th or 8th grade reading skills, passed high school advanced math courses and can't do any.

I was the first in my family to go to a formal college. Some of my cousins didn't finish high school, none of my grandparents went past the 8th grade....

My cousins work in fabricating, welding, mechanic-ing etc etc... they're doing great.

My grandparents bought farms (and made them productive) avoided debt and my generation is reaping the benefits of their common sense, hatred of debt, and cleverness. They certainly learned more in 8 years than most do in 12 or even 16 years. (I will be the first to admit there have been a lot of changes since then)

Today, debt is the norm, not a shame... a joke sometimes, especially when it comes to student loans, but the USA's esteemed institutions are the envy of the world because of a history of free thought, selectivity, and competition.

As far a free college goes, I can tell you with absolute confidence and certainty; low-cost (or free) community colleges do NOT have the respect to gain admissions to selective post graduate institutions. When I applied to medical school (and was denied), I got to know the assistant to an admissions Dean. She told me that the rigor of low-cost schools isn't there, leading to a less-than-desirable candidates.

When something is free, usually its not as selective, nor is it competitive, although there are outliers. Therefore the teaching gets watered down, and so it goes.....

[41chevy]

I was the first in my family to go to a formal college. Some of my cousins didn't finish high school, none of my grandparents went past the 8th grade....

My cousins work in fabricating, welding, mechanic-ing etc etc... they're doing great.

My grandparents bought farms (and made them productive) avoided debt and my generation is reaping the benefits of their common sense, hatred of debt, and cleverness. They certainly learned more in 8 years than most do in 12 or even 16 years. (I will be the first to admit there have been a lot of changes since then)

Today, debt is the norm, not a shame... a joke sometimes, especially when it comes to student loans, but the USA's esteemed institutions are the envy of the world because of a history of free thought, selectivity, and competition.

As far a free college goes, I can tell you with absolute confidence and certainty; low-cost (or free) community colleges do NOT have the respect to gain admissions to selective post graduate institutions. When I applied to medical school (and was denied), I got to know the assistant to an admissions Dean. She told me that the rigor of low-cost schools isn't there, leading to a less-than-desirable candidates.

When something is free, usually its not as selective, nor is it competitive, although there are outliers. Therefore the teaching gets watered down, and so it goes.....

Sounds similar to my family in many ways. My sister went to college, I went to war. but thats all moot. First thing people forget is nothing is "free" , free programs are paid by those who work. Government free phone? Look at the fee on your phone bill for only one example. Senator Crotch Sniffer's raise? yup out of the working persons pocket.

How about a work for college program, give X number of volunteer work hours per semester or term Your cost set with a minimum GPA. Fail to meet it then you pay for you education until your grades come up.

Unfortunately a free college means no one can be denied entrance... Bad grades....no problem....just going to meet wimmin?.....no problem, going to avoid getting a job?....no problem! It public, it's free, it's your god given right!!!! See how most public schools have turned from educating your child to just baby sitting them? Soon you can enroll in your local state college for free adult daycare!!

[kscarbel2]

It took me 11 years to finish my undergraduate degree. Eleven years of pinching pennies and pinching cow titties (quite literally). I paid for all of it, at a private school, on time, without any credit/loans whatsoever. I got a so-called 'useless' liberal arts degree, after 4 semesters of studying Biology. I value my degree in ways a free education never could.

Take the onus of personal responsibility for payment away, and the education becomes even more worthless. I've seen it.

I know students who amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of school debt and laugh at the prospect of EVER paying it back. I call them thieves.

Don't tell me school should be free.

Exactly. Much of today's generation doesn't grasp the concept of "responsibility", a character trait that played quite a role in building this country.

When today's generation makes a mistake, there's no remorse. They don't care. If I make a mistake, fail in my obligations, or simply let someone down, it troubles me for a day to a week.....perhaps a month.

[41chevy]

Exactly. Much of today's generation doesn't grasp the concept of "responsibility", a character trait that played quite a role in building this country.

When today's generation makes a mistake, there's no remorse. They don't care. If I make a mistake, fail in my obligations, or simply let someone down, it troubles me for a day to a week.

If at all. Like the Government says "It wasn't my fault"

[carlotpilot]

Back in the 70s I took a six month full time training program in our local public technical college, total tuition was under $300. I couldn't have afforded to pay much more, and were it not for that program that led to a three decade long career in the trucking business, Instead of being retired with a pension and keeping the local car and motorcycle dealers in business I'd probably be on welfare.

So maybe a few breaks for the young folks just gettin' started in a career ain't so dumb an idea?

i could agree with you somewhat about a break. however you can`t teach a kid anything as long as his-her mouth is open and nose glued to a smart phone

[Dirtymilkman]

Now that I don't need it, I can take public college and university course for free here in Minnesota, and if I want credit the tuition is a measly $10 to $20 a credit, about a tenth of what students under age 62 pays. If the state can afford to give me free or darn near free college, why not extend the priviledge to the young folks that really need it?

First off, if you work at McDonald's or a department store you should not make big money. Those are not career jobs and never intended to be. Second, I live in Minnesota. And we need people that can actually do a job. College does not make you able to do a certain job. It is to mature you, teach you and help you grow up. These kids graduate and think the world owes them something. Get off your asses, work and make $200 a week. That'll pay rent and food and books. Tuition can be loans and grants. Paying back your loan is part of the learning and maturing process. The private universities were never intended for all students to go to. St. Johns here is upwards of$40,000 a year. They're for the wealthier and truly gifted students. And the poor gifted students get scholarships and grants. My girlfriend had student loans of $120,000 because she went to a private school. She's working and paying them down. When they're paid off she'll realize what she is actually capable of doing when you work hard.

[41chevy]

Funny how things change. I always thought fast food and department stores were jobs to get work experience, a second job for extra money or for senior citizens to make ends meet. Never knew they were careers til recently.

[gearhead204]

well when crooks, thugs, and professional athletes make more money than the Obama administration can spend in a day, I can see where a student would think that 15.00 an hour is still an insult. but perhaps they should trade places with a wild lands fire fighter who gets about 13.00 an hour to risk their life and swing a Pulaski in 100 degree plus heat and then see who has earned the right for a discounted tuition! as for the overpaid athletes well I think we should boycott all events until they are bankrupt.

[41chevy]

well when crooks, thugs, and professional athletes make more money than the Obama administration can spend in a day, I can see where a student would think that 15.00 an hour is still an insult. but perhaps they should trade places with a wild lands fire fighter who gets about 13.00 an hour to risk their life and swing a Pulaski in 100 degree plus heat and then see who has earned the right for a discounted tuition! as for the overpaid athletes well I think we should boycott all events until they are bankrupt.

Or our Combat troops who average about $9 an hour.

[gearhead204]

Paul I was going to mention military members but depending on when they enlisted they got collage tuition covered, but you are absolutely right about the wage issue, and depending on which fast food outlet they work at the chances of being shot could be a toss up !

[41chevy]

Paul I was going to mention military members but depending on when they enlisted they got collage tuition covered, but you are absolutely right about the wage issue, and depending on which fast food outlet they work at the chances of being shot could be a toss up !

So you have heard about Fort KFC on Malcolm X Blvd in Wyandanch all the way in Washington State? Like a drive up bank, Bullet resistant glass a cash /"chicken draw and a speaker NO entry in side. They been robbed and shot up over 50 times so KFC literally sealed it up 3 "windows no waiting"...

About combat pay under this administration you only get it during a combat action NOT for being in harms way. A 12 minute fire fight = 12 minutes of combat pay