WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Institutions of higher learning in the United States should be made free for students, US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said in a statement on Tuesday upon introducing legislation to public education available to all.
“Under the legislation, $70 billion a year in assistance — two-thirds from the [US] federal government and one-third from states — would replace what public colleges and universities now charge in tuition and fees,” Sanders said on Tuesday.
Sanders argued the measure is needed because tuition at four-year public colleges and universities has risen by 50 percent within the past decade.
“We live in a highly competitive global economy. If our economy is to be strong, we need the best educated work force in the world,” Sanders said in the statement.
The Senator warned the United States will not retain the best educated work force if millions of bright young people cannot afford to attend college or leave school deeply in debt.
Consequently, the legislation would also overhaul the US student loan program to reduce “crushing” student debt loads. Sanders said the legislation would remove federal profits on loans, expand student work-study programs as well as offer incentives to schools that keep costs low.
In January 2015, US President Barack Obama unveiled his America's College Promise plan that would build on programs at the state level to waive US community college tuition costs.
