@austinmshauri. 0%.This would not apply to me. Just brain storming ideas here. ?
I was the kid with a mother of 4 that was a single parent on Public Aid and food stamps. I got financial aid to go to college. Otherwise I wouldn’t of never became a doctor. I would of been a skilled worker. I also worked at a hospital during college to pay that off. I lived at home since I couldn’t afford to go away to Michigan State or the like. I went to Community College my first year since I had to. I went to Wayne State which was more of a commuter school. Didn’t have a “dream” school. Any college was a dream just to attend.
So, I get it. Just looking at different alternatives here. Just an option. Know many in Israel and it’s just a way of life. They seem ready to go to college after serving 2 years. My niece who graduated MSU in communications moved there and served 2 years volunteering. They put her as an editor for the IDF social media communications. She gained great experience so it doesn’t have to be combat training. Yes, she had a rifle/gun and could use it. She freelances now and once she mentions she worked for the IDF getting jobs is not an issue. It helps more then her MSU degree ?
I work with rural schools in Mexico which employ an interesting model. Because the communities are too small to qualify for a regular school they are sent education student who teach in the community in order to earn a free or half price college education. One year of teaching = half price, 2 years, full funding. These young teachers receive training and are supported by a network of master teachers. There’s also something similar for doctors who have completed their training.
While I don’t think this precise model could be used in the US I like the idea of an expanded Americorps-style service program post-high school. There are lots of areas where we could use healthy 18 year olds- the military, public works projects, as school aides, in disaster relief, and so on. Plus it would give kids a year or two to mature before proceeding to college.
So…if a student wants to get a decent education that will not put them into crippling personal debt, they should absolutely make the choice not to be born to parents who are poor and who live somewhere rural. Got it.
Free premed? Where would that be? Since there are less than a handful of colleges with an actual “premed major”, any undergrad aid would be for ANY major if a student receives it.
Premed could be music, biology, art, physics, drama, engineering…what schools offer free “premed” to students who don’t otherwise qualify for merit or need based aid?
Really? For every single student who attends a BS/MD program their tuition is fully covered in Texas for the BS part? What happens if they switch majors?
ETA…these BS/MD students are likely amongst the strongest applicants to the colleges. These programs are more selective than elite colleges…and yes, even in Texas that is true. If they get significant merit aid, they likely deserve it.
Do OOS students get this advantage? I thought Texas had a strong instate obligation at these programs.
So your idea is to reduce the overall cost of college and people can either pay out-of-pocket or join the military to make up the difference? It seems your “mandatory military service” would only be for low income families. The military isn’t a scholarship service, and my brother, who’s retired Air Force, would dearly love for people to quit spreading rumors that it is. It’s a career for people who want to serve.
My state already offers free tuition to families who earn less than $125k. It’s a great deal for families who live within commuting distance of a school. Students have to work in state for 1 year for each year they receive a grant or it converts to a loan, but that’s still a great deal.
@austinmshauri. Just an idea for discussion. Not a final expectation. Again for some it could be a path… What I propose is different then a career officer. I am saying to use the military in a different way that it is currently being used. More of a stepping stone… Just trying to be creative here… So many kids join gangs and have to direction. This to me seems like a better path.
Like what your state is doing. Sorta close to my plan. Then make it more affordable up to $250,000…or maybe per area you leave in. In California this might not be a lot of money but in Iowa it would be… Again… Just coming up with different ideas. Something needs to change.
People that don’t need this help can be full pay etc.
You want to use the military in a different way than it’s currently used-- like a global drug treatment program? A huge obesity treatment program?
Do you have any idea how many kids try and enlist and are unable to? Do you want drug addicts carrying rifles and learning how to launch nuclear missiles?
Students do not have to attend colleges that cost $250,000 or more for the four years. In every state, there are public options that would be a fraction of that cost.
Make good choices about funding. If you can’t afford over $60,000 a year for college costs…pick a less costly option. Don’t expect other people to pay your bills unless you actually qualify for need based aid.
Finland, France, and Switzerland still have mandatory conscription for 18 year olds (like Israel). France is moving to have an option of public service for those who don’t want the military option. How does it work in those countries?
At Princeton it’s free for $160,000 family income. So why not expand financial aid to a much higher amount. Not free college but help to make it more affordable.
As far as military interaction… Just looking for a different way of doing things. The old ways doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe try something different. As stated above it works very well in Israel. Maybe a version of that, not for everyone but for those that need that help. Many kids aren’t ready to start college. Maybe they need to get discipline and their studies up. Why not like an educational boot camp? Why not use the military ways to build self esteem? So many kids don’t have a chance due to where they live and what type of schools are in their neighborhood. Again, just trying to think out of the box. Not saying these kids are going to the front lines.
France hasn’t had a real military conscription since 2001. The current system:
Military service in Finland and Switzerland is only mandatory for men. It ranges from 6 months to a year. Women may volunteer for military service in both countries, although few do.