Earlier this month, President Barack Obama proposed to make the first two years of community college "free for everybody who is willing to work for it." He said states would provide a quarter of the funding and the remaining 75 percent of the cost covered by the federal government.

The presidents of Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College are optimistic Obama's proposal could become reality.

Some state political leaders do not share the same optimism.White House officials admit the ambitious proposal would cost about $60 billion over the next decade.

State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124th, of Tamaqua said, "As a graduate of Thaddeus Stevens Trade School, I have long been a strong supporter of technical schools and community colleges. I am glad to see that any negative stigma surrounding such educations is becoming a thing of the past."

He added, "I certainly appreciate the president's proposal to offer free community college educations; however, the devil is in the details.

"Where would the money come from for the state match," Knowles asked. "Perhaps we should sell the liquor stores and use some of those dollars to fund such a program," he said.

Presidents of both community colleges feel free community college would be a great investment by the government and would reap positive returns.

Dr. Mark H. Erickson, president of Northampton Community College, said there are many people who can't afford to go to any college.

"Surely I get excited about the idea because it would open the door for those who can't afford to make it. It would offer a great opportunity," Erickson said. "It would be a creative pathway to a four-year college. It also would help businesses and industries by providing them with more college-educated workers.

"I think the return on the investment on this kind of proposal is phenomenal," Erickson said."There are many countries around the globe that provide public education beyond high school," he said. "All indicators are that we're behind those countries. We need to do something bold."

The bottom line, he said, is "As president of a community college, I watch those very capable individuals who work their way through here. They have jobs that demand a lot of their time. I just think it will make it much more likely these individuals will make it through the institution."

Dr. Ann Bieber, president of Lehigh Carbon Community College, agreed.

She pointed out in Tamaqua, the Morgan Foundation provides free tuition to the facility for all Tamaqua Area School District graduates.That program is so successful, she said, she is hoping to duplicate it in other areas, including downtown Allentown where businesses are being asked to assist. Bieber feels eventually the concept of free community college will be embraced.

"We're just so excited," she said. "Education really is just the equalizer."

State Sen. John Yudichak, D-14th, is behind the proposal.

"We are fortunate to have some of the best community colleges in the country right here in northeastern Pennsylvania with Lehigh Carbon Community College and Luzerne County Community College," he said. "I am encouraged by the president's proposal which will certainly open the doors to our community colleges for prospective students of all social and economic backgrounds."

Yudichak added, "If we are going to position Pennsylvania and the nation for future economic growth, it is imperative that we continue to build and develop a highly-skilled and educated workforce by making the dream of a college education a potential reality for every American citizen."

However, Sen. David Argall, R-29th and State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122nd, had reservations about the costs involved in a free tuition program.

"The president has yet to lay out any specifics of how he expects the taxpayers to pay for this plan," Argall said. "While the federal government can print money and expand its $18 trillion deficit, the Pennsylvania Constitution requires us to balance our budget each year.

"I believe the president should consider the successful example of Lehigh Carbon Community College in Tamaqua," Argall said.

'There, the generous support of the Morgan Foundation provides students at Tamaqua Area School district the option to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College for free. I think more public-private partnerships can lead to more opportunity and less strain on overburdened taxpayers."

Heffley said Obama's proposal could be too costly for taxpayers.

"As a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute, I understand the importance of technical schools and community colleges in preparing students for today's high-tech workforce," he said. "And as a parent, I am very concerned about the rising costs of higher education.

"Every time this president says something is free, it ends up costing the working class more. His plan for 'free' health care, for example, actually increased costs for Pennsylvanians. He is using the same pitch for his free community college plan, when actually working class families will be on the hook for much of the bill," Heffley said.

Instead, Heffley said, "A better alternative would be increasing funding for the Federal Pell Grant Program, which provides funding directly to students."

He also voted in support of increasing state aid to local community colleges.

"I would love to see increased funding for programs that provide financial aid directly to students," he added.

"Community college is a great investment in our workforce," State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd said. "Students with an associate degree will earn, on average, $10,000 more per year than a student with a high school diploma. Community colleges are the most affordable path to such a degree. President Obama's plan will yield a tremendous return on investment for American taxpayers by helping to create a generation of life-long learners who contribute to our economy and communities."

"I am a strong supporter of community colleges, having completed coursework at Lehigh Carbon Community College myself," State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, said. "I share the President's interest in making college more affordable and accessible. His proposal leaves many questions unanswered though, most significantly is how to pay for this new program.

"An initiative like this also needs to be thought through more fully. The possibility of providing 'free' tuition for only one area of higher education may have some pretty big unintended consequences. For instance, community colleges then might actually pull students away from four-year institutions and this, in turn, could unintentionally block access to traditional community college students. In that case, ironically, the President's goal of reducing barriers to higher education could actually result in a lack of access for some students."

THE PROPOSAL

President Barack Obama's proposal would ensure anybody who wants to go to college can get at least two years free tuition.Students would still have to pay for fees, room and board and the cost of living.

Details

ŸThe cost for the program would be shared by the federal and state governments. The federal government would pay 75 percent.

ŸIf all 50 states choose to implement the proposal, it could save a full-time community college student $3,800 in tuition per year on average.

ŸIt would benefit roughly nine million students each year.

ŸStudents would be able to earn the first half of a bachelor's degree or earn the technical skills needed in the workforce all at no cost to them.

Requirements

ŸStudents must attend community college at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA and make steady progress toward completing their program.

ŸCommunity colleges will be expected to offer academic programs that fully transfer credits to local public four-year colleges and universities or occupational training with high graduation rates, in-demand degrees and certificates.

ŸCommunity colleges must adopt reforms to improve student outcomes.

ŸFederal funding will cover three-quarters of the average cost of community college. Participating states will be expected to contribute the remaining funds.

Facts about community colleges

ŸAcross the United States there are 1,655 community colleges. Of these, 1,047 are public institutions and 415 private.

ŸIn 2000-2001 the states with the largest number of public community colleges were California, Texas, North Carolina, Illinois and New York.

ŸIn 1999-2000, 62 percent of public community colleges had an open admissions policy, compared with 7.5 percent of public 4-year colleges.

ŸThe total 1999 fall enrollment at both public and private community colleges was slightly over 5,590,000 students.

Ÿ15 percent of students enrolled in school with the purpose of attaining an associate degree in 1995 attained their goal by 1998, while 6 percent had earned a certificate and others were still enrolled in school.

Ÿ23 percent of those beginning community college in 1989-1990 transferred to a 4-year institution. Of those who transferred to a 4-year institution, 38 percent completed an associate degree before transferring.

ŸThe higher a student's socioeconomic status the more likely the student transferred to a 4-year institution.

The U.S. Department of Education