McCain, Obama: Making college more affordable
Hess, Mike
Issue date: 6/27/08 Section: News
Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) have recently presented their plans for improving the higher education system, covering issues like the price of college tuition and tax credits.
Obama, the presumptive democratic presidential candidate, discussed part of his plan when he addressed the Wayne County Community College in Detroit, Mich.
"I will make college affordable for every American. Period," Obama said, as reported by The Detroit News.
Obama's web site explains the plan in further detail, stating, "Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans."
News 8 Austin reported that McCain is also advocating a "'continuity plan' that would make sure student loans aren't disrupted this fall."
With Obama's plan, The Detroit News also reported that students would need to serve 100 hours of community service to qualify for the tax credit. Obama did not say at WCCC or on his campaign's web site whether any assistance would be available for students at private universities, and the campaign representatives could not be reached for comment.
Obama also wants to make the application process for financial aid easier by, "Eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application," according to the campaign web site.
However, Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for presumptive Republican presidential candidate McCain, said Obama's plan has flaws.
"Every college-savings account starts with a job, and Barack Obama has proposed tax hikes on over 21 million small businesses that drive job growth," Bounds said. "While Sen. Obama shares John McCain's concern over the high price of college tuition, there is a critical job-gap that must be addressed."
Obama, the presumptive democratic presidential candidate, discussed part of his plan when he addressed the Wayne County Community College in Detroit, Mich.
"I will make college affordable for every American. Period," Obama said, as reported by The Detroit News.
Obama's web site explains the plan in further detail, stating, "Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans."
News 8 Austin reported that McCain is also advocating a "'continuity plan' that would make sure student loans aren't disrupted this fall."
With Obama's plan, The Detroit News also reported that students would need to serve 100 hours of community service to qualify for the tax credit. Obama did not say at WCCC or on his campaign's web site whether any assistance would be available for students at private universities, and the campaign representatives could not be reached for comment.
Obama also wants to make the application process for financial aid easier by, "Eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application," according to the campaign web site.
However, Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for presumptive Republican presidential candidate McCain, said Obama's plan has flaws.
"Every college-savings account starts with a job, and Barack Obama has proposed tax hikes on over 21 million small businesses that drive job growth," Bounds said. "While Sen. Obama shares John McCain's concern over the high price of college tuition, there is a critical job-gap that must be addressed."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Miri NY
posted 6/28/08 @ 7:22 PM EST
I realize that when one is in college library time seems very important. When you look back you will realize that the least important things you learned were from books. (Continued…)
Bob
posted 6/29/08 @ 1:05 AM EST
"It is more important to get a better job where you will be able to pay off your loans" says the business student heading for Wall Street.
Leaving college without student loans, however, gives one the option of accepting low paying jobs, such as being a teacher, that might appeal to you rather than just chasing after the biggest salary you can find. (Continued…)
Is Salvia Legal
posted 6/29/08 @ 10:41 PM EST
I hope this effort really succeeds. Though admittedly $4000 towards tuition is not much at some of the larger public universities, it's at least a start. (Continued…)
Lux Gurusamy
posted 7/05/08 @ 12:40 AM EST
If you ask me- Education should be a birth right.
Chris
posted 8/15/08 @ 3:48 PM EST
If Obama wants to amend the tax code, why not just give a tax deduction for families who have children who go to college? Rather than a "credit", (which will probably just add another complicated layer to the tax code) just simply deduct the amount owed by a certain percentage, depending on how many children are attending college and how much payment on tuition is required. (Continued…)
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