College Quote by Sarah Jaffe
“In other words, the hidden subsidies [designed to help individuals seeking college degrees] are not helping those who most need help in getting a degree. It's also helping lenders, by providing an incentive to borrow. So why not take that $22.75 billion or so that we're already spending and putting it directly toward making public higher education free?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Policy Forum, 2022
Subsidies intended for college students often bypass the most needy and benefit lenders, suggesting funds could be better used for free public higher education.
In simple terms: Subsidies miss the poorest and help lenders; free education could be better.
Redirect funds to tuition-free public colleges.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- college budgeting
- student loan counseling
- government budgeting
- advocacy for free tuition
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How could free public higher education be sustainably funded?
- What mechanisms ensure aid reaches the most needy?
Implementation requires massive political consensus and budget reallocation.