# Free/low cost university programs.

Category: Let's talk

## Post 1 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Friday, 11-Jun-2010 15:10:57

We have burseries, scholarships, and student loans to financially help those who wish to attend college or university, but rarely ever is someone awarded a full scholarship. Is it really fair to charge $20000 or more for students who just want to learn? Most grade school students don't have to pay this. Also, don't forget there are other expenses, like food, rent, and other bills. Let's be realistic here. Who has this kind of money without taking out a loan?
Now, of course, I know two good reasons:
1. This is probably the first way to teach young adults responsible spending habits, and to send out the message that you have to pay for most of what you want.
2. This will separate those who are really serious about succeeding from those who just want to fool around.
So, what are your thoughts about this? Should full scholarships be more readily available? Should the cost of college/university programs be lower?

## Post 2 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 11-Jun-2010 19:27:08

In America if you want to succeed their are ways to get it paid for via the Government, or scholarships as you suggest. This is not only true for the disabled, but women, low or poor students and such, but it requires as you suggested wanting to make it. Now to start with you don't have to have the drive only that you seek out such information. Now you might not get full support unless you keep your grade point average at an exceptable level for the program you are on, but that make sense don't you agree? I mean if you are getting some or all your education needs paid for you should keep good grades? Now you'll not attend the top schools no, but community colleges are a great place to start. You are correct that everyone is not excepted and does not get full support or even parshal, but university education is not supported via our tax dollars, and people need to get paid for their studies to become university level teachers, so at that level education should cost. In many countries you don't even get past grade school level unless you are gifted, so here as in your native Canada we are blessed so to speak.

## Post 3 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Monday, 14-Jun-2010 17:24:31

I do agree that the bulk of the responsibility should be on the student's shoulders, whether it's paying for the program, or keeping up the grades to keep the funding available. That's why I'm not totally against it, but I know when I was calculating my possible college expenses in my later high school years, it really scared me, and kind of gave me the feeling of impossibility. This is where my concerns lie. High school students are most likely not used to seeing these kind of expenses in front of them. Isn't it fair to start them off with something a little smaller, something that won't scare them off, or make them think they can't do it?

## Post 4 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 14-Jun-2010 22:37:41

No. Parents should teach life. You can't protect a person from it. You didn't know if you could drink a whole can of soda, but were not given a half can until you figured out you could. You didn't get half maried did you? Smile.

## Post 5 by cattleya (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Tuesday, 15-Jun-2010 10:35:56

Agreed with For Real. Yes, the figures are scary; (scary as hell), and I know because I'm looking at it once again. To get my degree; (180 credits) is going to cost me (or someone) just about 61,000. That's a fact of life, and honestly it's the parents fault if you haven't been prepared for it; (or any teen). I knew the cost of college before I was a teen. My mom made sure of it...Parcially because she had to pay back everything...Not qualified for grants because she made to much, and not qualified for scholarships because she was older and returning to school. Back then scholarships weren't as readily available; (or at least findable). So, it is the parents job to prepare a child for the costs of life...You can start with one's toys...You know, "Now, you need to take care of that new toy because it's expensive (so many dollars) and I can't just be buying you a new one..."

## Post 6 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Tuesday, 15-Jun-2010 10:46:22

True enough. My mom always told me my grandfather would probably be able to pay for the whole thing, and not to worry about it.
I guess my only remaining concern, then, is those who don't have special needs, like most of us do, and don't have the grades for a scholarship. I know plenty of people who have C's, but who still want to learn more than some people who get Straight A's.

## Post 7 by squidwardqtentacles (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 15-Jun-2010 14:11:29

We have where I live a program called 'Women in Transition', usually for women facing widowhood,divorce, or genuinely wanting to get off public assistance. Maybe being in transition can be unemployment & inability to find a job in one's field, so possibly additional education can help, I don't know. I personally know someone I suspect finished at U Mass, I suspect on Women in Transition. She was pretty much doing all of the work of parenting 3 with a husband (now kicked out of the house), who wasn't too reliable and she had lost a job in insurance several years ago. Practically marrying right out of high school and finding a job in a day care, she wanted to improve her education. I don't begrudge anyone who takes advantage of Women in Transition so long as they are genuinely attending & participating in the classes, not skipping & getting notes from a friend on Facebook or something. I think, though, there should be more full ride academic scholarships for those who genuinely qualify (last I heard it was easier to get a full ride sports scholarship), and something should be available to the men, too, as men increasingly, at least where I live, are custodial parents who could maybe benefit from more formal education.

## Post 8 by cattleya (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Tuesday, 15-Jun-2010 23:34:59

Agreed on all points; including the sports scholarships...Now, I do know, that if you figure out where to go there is actually more available than what you think at first glance. I'll have to post the links tomorrow...Grants, (not just for school), and maybe the info will help some.