Gov. Northam proposes free community college
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| Gov. Northam speaks at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. [Office of Gov. Ralph Northam] |
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam visited Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus, Dec. 12, where he announced a proposal to provide free community college tuition to low and middle-income students who pursue careers in high-demand fields.
The governor’s budget proposal will include $145 million over two years for the proposed “Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back” (G3) program.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to get a good education and a good job, no matter who you are or how much money you have,” Northam said. “This is an investment in equity and our economy.”
See related story: Governor calls for big investment in early childhood education
Full-time students who qualify for a federal Pell grant would receive an additional Student Support Incentive Grant of up to $1,000 per semester and up to $500 per summer term. The funds could be used for fees, books, and related costs, such as transportation and childcare, as well as fill the gaps not covered by Pell grants for tuition.
The grants would be targeted to eligible students at of the commonwealth’s two-year public colleges seeking careers in such fields as healthcare, information technology, skilled trades, public safety, and early childhood education.
Students would have to complete two hours of work experience, community service, or public service for every credit hour enrolled.
OH BOY HERE GOES A TAX SPIKE FOR ALL OF US SUCKERS WHO PAID FOR COLLEGE. SORRY BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY SOMETHING. FREE COLLEGE IN NYC WAS ACTIVE TILL 1977 WHEN IT WENT BROKE, THE CITY WENT BANKRUPT AND TURNED IT OVER TO SUNY. MUCH BETTER TODAY, A PAID SYSTEM GETS RID OF THE JUNK. WHAT WE NEED IS TRADE SCHOOLS TO PUT THESE IMMIGRANTS TO WORK NOT FREE COLLEGE WHERE THEY CAN GOOF OFF AND HANG OUT WITH THEIR GANG BUDDIES.
Dear Anonymous, as an immigrant your reaction saddened me quite a bit. I doubt you are interested to hear my reasoning but if you do, you can ask me or just simply reflect on this passage in your reaction: "A PAID SYSTEM GETS RID OF THE JUNK. WHAT WE NEED IS TRADE SCHOOLS TO PUT THESE IMMIGRANTS TO WORK NOT FREE COLLEGE WHERE THEY CAN GOOF OFF AND HANG OUT WITH THEIR GANG BUDDIES."
ANONYMOUS:
ARE YOU AWARE THIS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA? IF YOU WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HIGH TAXES, DO US ALL A FAVOR AND MOVE TO LYNCHBURG. ITS A VERY NICE TOWN.
LISTEN, BOOMERS HAD IT GOOD, THEY HARDLY PAID THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION AND PAID ALMOST NOTHING TO LIVE IN ARLINGTON VIRGINIA!!!
LET PEOPLE THRIVE. I PAID FOR COLLEGE SO WHAT?! I WANT THIS AREA TO THRIVE. WE HAVE A LOT OF WILLING PEOPLE WITH POTENTIAL.
NOW I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT ANOTHER ROTISSERIE LAUNDROMAT APPROVED BY GROSS OR HOW CHEAP OUR LABOR FORCE IS BECAUSE OF IMMIGRANTS. LET PEOPLE THRIVE IT WILL BE GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY!!
What’s up with peoples caps lock today?
I would love for immigrants to thrive for I am a second generation born from immigration to the US. So I know the pain from hearing stories about the poverty and the depression and two times my grandmother had to travel in steerage from Europe for the fist the US sent her back.
But what they didn't do was throw beer cans all over the road, wreck properties, park all over front lawn,. They did however learned english, they did not speak in foreign tongue in front of american that mostly speak english. Additionally they focused on matriculation to their new home instead for forcing bad mores on their new neighbors. They were not perfect but they fought in WW1 and 11, Vietnam and many side by side new immigrants. They loved this country and did not look back. They raised their children to work hard in school and become doctors, lawyers, architects, accountant and engineers that build America.
The BIG difference they didn't break the laws illegally and stay too long. My grandmother filled out natrualization papers every year on her birghday. She did think want to go back to Europe that was something feared awfully. There are many other cultures that have brought wonderful foods and cultural contributions, hard work and some wonderful children that do want to learn.
But hidden amongst those are some real garbage that not only bring their entire community down but prey are their own people,.
Pay some attention to how much Americans love their landscape, pick up the trash that you leave behind, pick up the crap inyour yards and at your curbs. Don't park on your front lawn. Put your garbage out on trash day, don t make us live with your old matresses and junk furniture for a week. And for god's sake lay off the corona.
Say hello to your neighbor's, introduce your culture them without forcing some of the bad habits the rest of are forced to accept and loathe. It's up to you immigrant, remember you came to our house, treat it with respect, Respect of oneself behest respect from others.
It is not free to those of us who pay higher taxes for the Governor's political gain. If it is free, there is no reason to have cost controls on Junior Colleges (not that there is much incentive for that anyway apparently). This is just a giveaway program to benefit a political party. There are other ways to help those who need help to attend Community College which do not impact taxpayers.
I'm ok with state assistance based on income of the family and the grades of the student, but to make it free, is just plain stupid. If you want free get the big corporations and the feds to set up an incentive program like the peace corp, where kids learn the value of hard work and then provide them tuition assistance.
Another way is have the high tech companies set up high tech trade schools and then employ these students in the US as interns and not send manufacturing to China. And it the kids don't succeed in any of these programs have them go to an asylum center that the US is setting up in El Salvador where they can do community service. But this free stuff has a price tag, nothing is free, and this proposal is not cost effective or a best value.
Northam go take an economics class instead of putting make up on your face. This proposal gets a grade of three D's "Dumb Democratic Disaster."
Virginia Community Colleges have been very good and very reasonable. I have a child that started her career there. At $3000/semester full time is sure beats the $20,000/year at the 4 year schools. This is just a political stunt that will mess up the Community College system for the future.
I think this is excellent! Training low and middle-income students who pursue careers in high-demand fields is greatly needed. Showing people another path and getting their “buy in” is a great investment. This is how we will grow a capable workforce that’s competitive. I’m aware that many Mommy’s and Daddy’s paid for room, board and tuition for their children. Yea…of course many of us have had to pay for our own education. I know my taxes will increase a little. I don’t begrudge any one from attaining more education. If this removes barriers to learning more, it will improve our society. It’s part of the “pay back” for the opportunities we have benefited from.
I think it's a fine idea and I appreciate that it targets in-demand fields and particularly skilled trades.
I think this is good, I also like that community service has to be done for every credit enrolled. I think everyone participating in this program should be held accountable to finish however. I know their are kids struggling who cannot afford school and this is a great opportunity for those who seek it. If they don't finish or flunk out I think they should definitely pay for what they used as all these dollars came from working people in this country. I personally pay for my own college to have the flexibility of studying what I like.