As the college requirements that students must meet are inflating, so is the tuition. College tuition has reached a point which is beyond the reach of American students, plunging them into lifetime amounts of debt, which only increases the stress they must cope with, let alone tackling the responsibilities a college student faces.  

This idea is undergoing construction as financial aid is beginning to cover a large portion of students tuition, returning America to an education system which serves every student. However, the issue of student loans must be addressed.

Last year, 38 million American students owed more than $1.3 trillion in student loans. So the question is, why are these numbers so high? If our students pursue an education which will only better society as a whole, why must we penalize them with surmounting piles of debt?

Debt from student loans has become the largest form of personal debt in America—bigger than credit card debt and vehicle loans.

Developing a society with young adults who are currently pursuing an education yet live a lifetime of debt does not provide equity for all American students. One must consider that students life after receiving their pursued degree- the students wish to build a family, future, and purchase a home. How are these goals possible when this student is walking around with a half million debt weighing on their shoulders, holding them back from pursuing any dreams they have?

Pitman student Cynella Aghasi, said she believes that, “Many individuals hold the potential to achieve great discoveries and improve current ideologies yet are not given the chance due to financial  reasons. There needs to be a system set up for people who truly cannot afford college because educating our children will lead to a better society as a whole.”

Although America believes in a system of equity and providing opportunities to all kinds of people, they fail to evaluate the necessities these college students require. Sure, financial aid provides tuition reparation to some extent, but only for a bachelor’s degree. Medical school plunges students into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and the only option then is scholarships or student loans.

If the nation can provide for billions of dollars to Wall Street and accumulate billions for oil and gas industry, they can surely pay off college tuition. This is possible by taxing financial transactions such as the stock trade, which would be a better investment which would pay off economically.

Us fellow Americans must look out for one another and help one another. Not only will we provide free education and give the middle class geniuses an opportunity to shine- we will also better America as a whole as we are allowing the chance for new technological advances or new ideologies, theories, and findings.The middle class is given the chance to exhibit their ingenuity and the aspects of knowledge that they can offer to America by having their tuition paid for. Many geniuses are not given the chance to show their knowledge and America suffers as a whole. By allowing free education, America is embracing the idea of committing all people to education, not only the elites.

Education should not just be debt free- it should be free in general. No questions asked.