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tandemtuna t1_j661x2v wrote

Reply to comment by Maxpowr9 in Interesting piece argues that MA needs free community college by Tall_Ocelot_8749

Tuition (currently about $5.5k/year before financial aid) is only a small part of the problem. The bigger issue is that you've got to pay rent and eat while you're going to school. Room and board and such for the year is more like $20 or 30k.

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il_biciclista t1_j6823mn wrote

Let's not let perfect be the enemy of good. Education costs and housing costs are both problems that need to be solved. If community College becomes free, that's a big step in the right direction.

Reducing the cost of housing is more complicated, more controversial, and will take longer.

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Tall_Ocelot_8749 OP t1_j68j8ia wrote

Absolutely agree. But if the state makes tuition free, then students can use the federal Pell Grant to cover more of their living expenses. Still inadequate. I think we need to have free tuition and really increase financial aid to cover student living expenses and basic needs - like housing, food, and transportation

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