DAYTON -- A proposal made in the President's State of the Union could mean free Community College for anyone who wants to go. Todd Edmonds is from Chicago. He moved to Dayton to attend Sinclair Community College and likes the idea. "That would be a big break especially considering the fact that I am a college student working part-time."
Edmonds says despite Sinclair's low cost per credit hour, around $93 dollar, many of his friends still can't afford to come or don't want to go into debt. Sean Oates agrees.
"I think a lot of people are afraid of going to school taking out loans and come to find out after they graduate they can't find a job."
For those opposed to free Community College for anyone, they say why pay for college for someone who can already afford it. Other critics balk at the cost and who will pay for it.
It's estimated the plan will cost the government about 60 billion dollars plus whatever states have to kick in.
Angela Winfield is an older student back in college as she changes careers. She is not so sure the idea will work."Once it becomes something that's expected people won't have to work for it so I feel the quality of the education will go down."
"I think it's a great idea, I am sure it would come with some specific requirements." Rebecca Pudenz is right. The plan does come with requirements to attend college for free you must get good grades and graduate on time.
Pudenz works at Sinclair as a lab tech but was also earned one of her degrees here. "I know there are a lot students who depend on financial aid and we are one of the lowest if not the lowest tuition in Ohio."
She feels more students would enroll at Sinclair if they could and experts says the investment in students upfront could mean better educated people, who will likely get better paying jobs and therefore help fuel a strong economy.
Edmonds says despite Sinclair's low cost per credit hour, around $93 dollar, many of his friends still can't afford to come or don't want to go into debt. Sean Oates agrees.
"I think a lot of people are afraid of going to school taking out loans and come to find out after they graduate they can't find a job."
For those opposed to free Community College for anyone, they say why pay for college for someone who can already afford it. Other critics balk at the cost and who will pay for it.
It's estimated the plan will cost the government about 60 billion dollars plus whatever states have to kick in.
Angela Winfield is an older student back in college as she changes careers. She is not so sure the idea will work."Once it becomes something that's expected people won't have to work for it so I feel the quality of the education will go down."
"I think it's a great idea, I am sure it would come with some specific requirements." Rebecca Pudenz is right. The plan does come with requirements to attend college for free you must get good grades and graduate on time.
Pudenz works at Sinclair as a lab tech but was also earned one of her degrees here. "I know there are a lot students who depend on financial aid and we are one of the lowest if not the lowest tuition in Ohio."
She feels more students would enroll at Sinclair if they could and experts says the investment in students upfront could mean better educated people, who will likely get better paying jobs and therefore help fuel a strong economy.