Free college tuition has been an important topic during the elections in 2016 and it looks like some states are going ahead with its plans to provide this for its constituents. Lawmakers from Kentucky, Rhode Island and New York have laid down their proposals, which are already in discussion with other state officials.
In Kentucky, lawmakers filed the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program, which will give state scholarships to students who enroll in courses that are considered in demand. These are advanced manufacturing, business services/IT, construction, health care and transportation/logistics.
The Kentucky free college tuition is expected to take effect in the upcoming 2017-2018 school year. The state will determine what schools are eligible and there is an expiration condition to the scholarship as well, according to Courier-Journal.
In Rhode Island, a proposal has been filed to provide free college tuition for two years for students who will attend either the Community College of Rhode Island, the University of Rhode Island or Rhode Island College. The scholarship will not, however, cover dormitory or room and board fees, and it will only cover two years of a 4-year-degree course, ABC News reports.
Gov. Gina Raimondo is hoping the proposal will get the signatures it needs from the legislature. If this happens, the state will be the first to provide free college tuition in the country.
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo also passed a similar bill to help middle-class families avail of free college tuition for four years, minus dormitory room and board accommodations. The proposal will consider income caps beginning with an annual income of less than $100,000 a year, according to Yahoo Finance.
These free college tuition proposals, however, are receiving criticisms and oppositions, PJ Media reports. Some are questioning where the state will get funding for this proposals if approved. Others believe these states must instead focus spending on improving the elementary and secondary schools system to help the kids become college-ready.
