Free College or Debt Trap?

Families stress this time of year when they have children graduating and preparing for college. One of the biggest issues is the financial part. With the help of financial aid programs like FAFSA, Tap, and government services, families are able to make the price of college somewhat cheaper. Some families sacrifice their homes and other things for the price of a higher education but thanks to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Vermont Bernie Sanders this may be no longer.

New York State passed a legislation that would offer free tuition at two and four year colleges. The Excelsior Scholarship approved (as part of the state budget) they would cover full-time students in the state University of New York system, which included 64 campuses and 1.3 million students. This program is believed to begin in the fall of this year!

​Wouldn’t you like to go to college completely free? But there are regulations when it comes to this: in order to be eligible of this program you must attend full time and finish on time. This is where it gets sticky because you’re required to work in New York State for two years after you receive an associate’s degree or for years if you earn a bachelor’s degree. If you do leave the state, this full grant becomes a loan. So they question is do you want to go to college for free? Do you plan on being in New York State for the next the next 4 to 5 years? Think long and hard on this opportunity opening up this fall!

 By Tyjhan June