Dive Brief:
- Daemen College President Gary A. Olson argues the major reform proposals offered by presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders need to better address the role of private colleges.
- In New York State, where Daemen College is located, private institutions educate the majority of students enrolled in degree programs at all levels, but the pool of aid to make debt-free or tuition-free college possible has so far been conceived for state schools only.
- Olson advocates for additional funding to be sent directly to the student aid system, where it can follow students wherever they prefer to study.
Dive Insight:
A Gallup/Inside Higher Ed poll of colleges and university presidents found a clear split in support for tuition-free or debt-free college based on sector. More than 40% of private college presidents “strongly oppose the idea,” according to Inside Higher Ed. Many private colleges are already struggling under budgetary strains that likely would only get worse if students have an even greater incentive to go to public schools. Any nationally funded debt-free proposal would need the support of Congress to become law and few see that happening any time in the very near future.