In a bid to boost the education scenario in the country, US President Barack Obama proposed providing a free community college education worth USD 60 billion over 10-year period as an entitlement to millions of American students.
The education plan was unveiled by the President during a function at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee on Friday.
“For millions of Americans, community colleges are essential pathways to the middle class…I want to make it free,” Obama told the gathering.
The state authorities of Tennessee offer free tuition for the community and technical colleges for high school graduate students. For its incredible efforts, the states served as the inspiration for the administration.
Obama’s education plan would offer the students with nearly three-quarters of the average cost of community college tuition, with states kicking in the rest, according to a White House fact sheet.
The USD 60 billion proposal requires clearance from the US Congress, which is now controlled by the Republicans.
Eric Schultz, deputy White House press secretary, said that the plan is scheduled to be tabled before the Congress on February 2. It will be a part of the 2016 fiscal budget.
The government sources said that the President will ask Congress to write language in order to authorize the tuition waiver as an entitlement for anyone eligible, instead of just making it subject to a set annual appropriation.
In his last two years in office, the President wants to take serious measures to make higher education more affordable as a part of the main economic themes of the country.
The Friday’s speech by the President aimed at previewing his State of the Union address on January 20.
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