FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Higher education has long been marketed as the path to success, but for millions, it has become a path to crushing debt. The average student loan borrower in the United States graduates with nearly $30,000 in debt, often more if they attend a four-year university. This financial burden delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, family planning, and retirement savings. It is not an investment in the future; it is an economic shackle. Community colleges, once a reliable stepping stone to better jobs and higher education, now operate in a system where even affordable options feel out of reach for many.

The rise of student debt is not an accident—it is the product of deliberate policy choices. In the mid-20th century, community colleges were either free or nearly so, funded by state and local governments as a public good. But starting in the 1980s, a wave of austerity and privatization swept through public education. Budgets were slashed, tuition rose, and the burden shifted from the collective to the individual. Today, students are told to take out loans for what was once a taxpayer-funded service, while politicians cut education budgets and funnel public money into corporate tax breaks.

The irony is hard to miss. Community colleges were designed to be engines of social mobility, offering affordable education for working-class students, first-generation college-goers, and those looking to reskill. Yet the very populations these institutions were built to serve now face rising tuition, hidden fees, and the constant threat of financial instability. According to the College Board, the average annual cost of attending a public community college is now around $3,800 for tuition and fees alone. Factor in books, transportation, and living expenses, and the total cost can easily exceed $10,000 per year—a prohibitive sum for low-income families.

The result? Millions of talented, hardworking people are priced out of education entirely. They are left in the economic margins, working low-wage jobs with little chance for advancement. Those who do attend often balance coursework with full-time jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and housing insecurity, all while accumulating debt that takes years to repay. This is not just an individual problem; it is a societal failure. A nation that refuses to invest in the education of its people is a nation that chooses stagnation and inequality over progress and prosperity.

Free community college is not radical. It is common sense. Studies from countries with free or low-cost higher education—such as Germany, Finland, and Norway—consistently show higher graduation rates, lower student debt, and stronger economies. In the United States, pilot programs in Tennessee, Oregon, and California demonstrate the transformative power of tuition-free community college. The Tennessee Promise program, for example, increased enrollment among low-income students and first-generation college-goers while boosting graduation rates.

Critics ask, “But how will we pay for it?” The answer is straightforward: the cost of inaction far outweighs the price of investment. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the U.S. economy loses over $1 trillion annually due to underinvestment in education and workforce development. Every dollar spent on free community college returns more in tax revenue, higher wages, and reduced reliance on public assistance. Moreover, eliminating wasteful corporate subsidies and closing tax loopholes would easily cover the cost of tuition-free community college across the nation.

The psychological impact of free community college cannot be overstated. It tells students, “You are worth investing in.” It replaces fear and scarcity with opportunity and ambition. Students who know they can pursue higher education without crippling debt are more likely to enroll, persist, and graduate. They are more likely to start businesses, buy homes, and contribute to their communities. They are more likely to believe in a future worth working toward.

And what of the workforce? The modern economy increasingly demands post-secondary education, whether in the form of traditional degrees, technical training, or certifications. Community colleges are uniquely positioned to provide this education, offering programs in nursing, cybersecurity, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, the trades, and countless other fields. Free community college would create a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century, closing the gap between available jobs and qualified workers.

Education is also the foundation of civic engagement, critical thinking, and social cohesion. Students exposed to diverse ideas and experiences are more likely to participate in democratic processes, volunteer in their communities, and advocate for justice. Free community college strengthens the social fabric, ensuring that education is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy but a right available to all.

Some argue that making community college free would devalue education, but this claim misunderstands the purpose of education itself. Its value lies not in exclusivity but in accessibility. We do not ask whether free public high schools devalue learning—we recognize them as essential to an educated society. The same principle applies to higher education.

The current system serves only those who can afford it, leaving countless others behind. Free community college levels the playing field, providing every student with the chance to succeed based on talent and effort, not family income. It is an investment in human potential, in the health of communities, and in the future of the nation.

Therefore, under Folklaw:

Community college tuition shall be fully covered for all students, without regard to income, age, or background. Funding shall be provided through public investment, with no reliance on private loans or corporate partnerships.

All student debt incurred from community college attendance shall be forgiven. Programs supporting student success—such as academic advising, childcare, and transportation assistance—shall be expanded alongside free tuition.

Community colleges shall remain public institutions, protected from privatization and corporate influence, ensuring that education serves the public good rather than private profit.