I'm a typical dkos reader, in many respects - I'm in my mid-thirties, single and a working person ever since I graduated college in the mid-eighties. I earned an Associate-in-Arts degree at that time, but financial pressures and the ambitions every twenty-something feels drew me into the corporate world. Although I found a very rewarding and enjoyable career in software (I'm a project manager), it never provided the intellectual challenge, and the thrill of a new discovery that academia always had for me.
About three years ago, my career had stabilized enough (and my work had become routine enough), to the point where I actively began considering a return to college. I wanted to complete my Bachelor's Degree and perhaps continue on with Graduate-level study. I'd always handled tests and essays well, so I had a lot of confidence that I would pass the admissions tests. I'd tested at high levels when I'd been in school the first time so I knew I could handle the intellectual challenge. I'd always done well in groups and knew I'd be able to handle the culture shock of returning to the 'Ivory Tower' of The Big University.
What I wasn't so sure about was whether I could afford it.
I applied to The Big University as well as a few other colleges and I began to do the numbers. I really wanted to find a way to study at The Big University, since it had a reputation for exceptional academic achievement and a culture that offered personal growth, and social networking opportunities second to none.
When I compared the fees and tuitions I was floored. For me to afford a 4-credit class each semester would cost $8800.00 a year.
School Costs (Big prestigious university):
$1100.00 per credit
x 60 credits remaining to a Bachelor's Degree
----------
$66000.00 Sixty-six Thousand dollars
That was way out of my range, or so I believed. But I really wanted the opportunity to learn and demonstrate my knowledge so I worked extra hours, reduced my expenses drastically (bye-bye, delivery Chinese food!) and made sure I could afford to be accepted to The Big University.
Lo and behold, I was indeed accepted.
For the last two years I have attended classes in the evenings, taking required courses and elective courses, (both as part of the B.A. degree program) and also extracurricular clubs and groups.
I worked hard and paid for the first few years of school in cash - getting a 4.0 gpa at 4 credits/term, and a 4.33 (A+) last term.
I didn't think I could keep up the pressure - not of the work, but meeting the tuition.
After successfully paying for my school despite a 12 billion dollar cut from student loans under the last Republican administration, I was overjoyed when I heard the Democrats were going to reduce student loan rates by 50%. It was just a rumor, but I have always been a Democrat and despite the corporatization of the party, I still have faith in the ideals we stand for.
Today, the Democrats proved me right. The student loan rates will indeed be cut by 50%, but may not be eligible (based on the loan rate reduction eligibility requirements )- but I'm still a believer.
It's true that the plan is not everything I hoped for, myself - but self-interest is not what Democrats are supposed to be all about.
The simple fact is that this will reduce college costs for people a lot less able to pay for their education than I currently am. I believe it's a core premise of Liberalism that the poorest and least advantaged amongst us should be entitled to the greatest share of assistance and subsidization possible. Yes, I hope that someone like me, who is able to work, should also be eligible for assistance someday, to get my degree faster, but for now, I'm kept very happy by the knowledge that 4 or 5 kids might be able to attend school where only I could previously. I would rather those 4 or 5 kids grow up to run the world than the children of only the most wealthy, avaricious or materialistic citizens.
If the current Congress lives up to previous Democratic administrations, we may yet put our house in order to the point where higher education is a choice available to all. In any case, it's up to me to get the very best education in Humanism, ethics and civics, and to use my education to further the debate on the values of Liberal Democracy, in order to promote a more general welfare to those most deserving.
How many Einsteins are born among us, born into economic classes that will never allow them to reach their potential?
For now, despite my travails to afford my degree, I applaud the Democrats.