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New plan calls for free higher education for public service
By Nicole Loring
Posted: 11/7/07, 11:18 PM EST Section: News
The plan also includes military service as public service, stating that loan forgiveness would be provided in addition to military educational programs such as the G.I. Bill. Loan forgiveness would apply to all post-secondary education institutions, including community colleges, four-year bachelor's programs, master's programs, professional schools, doctorates and medical degrees.
Richardson's plan shares similarities to the U.S. Public Service Academy, the brainchild of co-founders Chris Asch and Shawn Raymond. The future institution would be the civilian counterpart to West Point, providing a free four-year education in exchange for five years of public service.
In contrast to Richardson's idea, which offers loan forgiveness at existing schools, the academy is a "flagship institution to raise public leadership," said Asch, who visited SU in October to speak about the academy, in a phone interview.
"I applaud Bill Richardson for helping to encourage public service and for addressing a critical issue - the need for young people to go into public service," Asch said. He added that the academy would be better suited to meeting the needs of the public service sector, as opposed to private service firms.
Asch also noted the cost difference between the two ideas - the academy is estimated at $205 million, while Richardson's plan would cost about $3.6 billion per year.
At Syracuse, students like senior Chris Lloyd are unconvinced about the feasibility of Richardson's plan.
"His idea is laudable, but it sounds like a lot of the public service he suggests would require that you have money to start out with or a college degree, like for practicing medicine," the history and philosophy major said.
Biklen said the idea could be popular among students and their families.
"Particularly for first-generation college goers, the finances of not only paying for college but also the lost salary are reasons why people leave college."
Richardson's plan shares similarities to the U.S. Public Service Academy, the brainchild of co-founders Chris Asch and Shawn Raymond. The future institution would be the civilian counterpart to West Point, providing a free four-year education in exchange for five years of public service.
In contrast to Richardson's idea, which offers loan forgiveness at existing schools, the academy is a "flagship institution to raise public leadership," said Asch, who visited SU in October to speak about the academy, in a phone interview.
"I applaud Bill Richardson for helping to encourage public service and for addressing a critical issue - the need for young people to go into public service," Asch said. He added that the academy would be better suited to meeting the needs of the public service sector, as opposed to private service firms.
Asch also noted the cost difference between the two ideas - the academy is estimated at $205 million, while Richardson's plan would cost about $3.6 billion per year.
At Syracuse, students like senior Chris Lloyd are unconvinced about the feasibility of Richardson's plan.
"His idea is laudable, but it sounds like a lot of the public service he suggests would require that you have money to start out with or a college degree, like for practicing medicine," the history and philosophy major said.
Biklen said the idea could be popular among students and their families.
"Particularly for first-generation college goers, the finances of not only paying for college but also the lost salary are reasons why people leave college."
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