Require performance with help for college
Recent news reports suggested that our county is considering a program to help students with financial aid so that they can graduate debt-free. A worthwhile idea.
Personally, I do not see anything wrong with taking a loan to graduate from college. It teaches you to be careful with your money and motivates some to graduate with fewer loans.
Some students do need help, and we should try to help them. The basis for help should be performance. For example, those who maintain an A average get 100 percent; B average get 50 percent; C average get 25 percent for four years. This should make students work hard and take their college education seriously. It should improve graduation rates.
In return, the county should require them to stay and work in the county for five years. If they do not, they should be required to pay back the loans with interest. This will help more educated people stay here, provide an educated work force for businesses and attract new businesses. It also would enlarge the county's tax base.
Before embarking on a new entitlement, we should consider this or similar ideas.
Shashi Sethi
Greensboro
Comments (7)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
There is some merit in your idea, M. Sethi. But it's the type of plan that would have to be crafted VERY carefully. The Law of Unintended Consequences is almost bound to rear its ugly head when a governmental entity (Guilford County, in this case) is granted the power to restrict one's freedom of movement.
One spoiler to be addressed:
The student does well, is granted 100% assistance (let's just use $100,000 for example) and graduates with honors ... with a degree in 16th Century Flemish Art. Now I don't know for sure, but I doubt there is much demand in the G.C. job market for such a person. This fine student is unable to pay back the loan, but is also prohibited from moving to, say, New York, where a decent job IS available.
Far fetched, you say? Sure ... but that's what the Law of Unintended Consequences is all about.
Posted on March 5, 2007 11:32 AM
There are Financial Aid offices at every state-ran University or community college in North Carolina.
If kids want to go to college enough, they can work towards scholarships during high school. If they don't do well enough to get scholarships, they can apply for loans.
Please stop requiring me to finance every one else's life. I have to pay for my own children's education. And you know good and well, that whatever they pass, it isn't going to offer anything free to the middle-class.
If Guilford County wants to offer scholarships based SOLELY on student academic performance, that will be fine. But leave race, free school-lunch percentages, and poverty level out of it.
Posted on March 5, 2007 12:11 PM
You are right, nitpicker.
The Law of Unintended Consequences just smacked ME in the head! In trying to point out the pitfalls of the proposed plan, I unintentionally left the clear impression that more government "support" (read more taxes) was a good idea.
Thanks for the cold slap in the face! I needed that.
Posted on March 5, 2007 12:52 PM
... you got something against Flem, Jack?
I would further comment about going into Hock over Flem - but others might take me seriously.
Posted on March 5, 2007 1:50 PM
Jack,
Didn't mean to slap you in the face. I didn't get the impression that you supported the plan.
At least Shashi Sethi is asking for some type of accountability on the student's part. That's advanced thinking compared to the local powers that be who seem to have a tunnel vision. Or should I say funnel vision. Their utopia is taking all of the taxpayers money and distributing it as they see fit.
Posted on March 5, 2007 2:17 PM
I'm with you, nitpicker. Carry on, sir.
Oh ... and, James ... I have NOTHING against Flem! NOTHING WHATSOEVER! I respect and admire Flem ... I would never cast aspersions upon Flem. Please, please don't spread the rumor that I'm anti-Flem. Have MERCY, sir, I beg of you! I would be ruined ... absolutely RUINED!!
Posted on March 5, 2007 3:50 PM
The problem with such an idea is that it would be percieved as "unfair" to underachievers, particularly minorities. That would harm self esteem.
Posted on March 5, 2007 5:44 PM