The World Outside Harvard
Harvard isn't the only university with a no-tuition plan for students from low-income families. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill actually kicked off its similar plan before Harvard did, and
InsideHigherEd.com reports that
the UNC program is a smash.
Key quote: "The results so far suggest that the lowest-income students are well-prepared academically, and can succeed at top universities. And the economic analysis of these students shows just how stratified top public universities have become by income, and how out of reach those universities can become without ambitious outreach efforts by universities."
Two points on that.
First, that the low-income students are succeeding academically is a huge point. The question about low-income students has never been whether universities should help pay for them, but whether they've had the preparation to succeed at places like Harvard and UNC. Perhaps the strength of their motivation makes up for any gaps in their prior schooling?
And second, it is sad but important to note that even public universities have become stratified by income. One possible reason: As the federal government has cut its support for education, state universities have been forced to raise their tuitions....
