Botnst's saying that it took him 238 hrs to graduate with a BA, made me think of this.
There is a bill in the Colorado legislature to change the way public universities and colleges are funded. Up until now, the state reimburses each college a $ for every FTE (Full time equivalent) student in addition to the tuition the student pays. The new proposal will give the money that now goes directly to the college, to the student in the form of a voucher when they graduate from high school. The voucher will be good for 140 undergraduate credit hours. When he student registers at a state college, they pay their tution and turn in the voucher. The school then turns the voucher in to the state for the $$'s. After the student reaches the 140 hour limit, the student would have to pay the college tuition plus the amount the state would have reimbursed the college for the hours.
There would also be a similar system for graduate school with a lower number of hours.
People returning to school later in life after having used their vouchers, would have to pay the full amount of tuition plus the state's share.
The rationale for this is that it would increase the number of Colorado students going to college since they would have a voucher in their hand when they graduate from high school. (Even though they would not be getting anything more than what the state already pays, and in fact, probably less since the current $$ figure for the vouchers is less than the state currently gives to the colleges).

Opinions on this change? (Our governor has presidential aspirations and his 'issue' is education)

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The citizen is offered a subsidized education for a certain number of hours beyond which, he must pay the full amount PLUS a surcharge?

Using me as the next-to-worst-case example (worst case is wasting tax dollars for me to say stoned and not finish school), the pay-out (time which it took me to repay the money invested in me by the taxpayers) was about 3 yrs after graduation. So you suckers, er, taxpayers, subsidized my lifestyle for about six or seven years. Since then, I've dumped a $hitload of cash into the tax rolls. So for an (worst case) investment of seven years you've received 30 years of pay back at a substantially higher rate than non-higher ed grad.

Not too shabby.

If I had been required to pay (or repay) a surcharge, my time to payout may have doubled--12 years. That's a long delay but I still continue paying for another 30 years or so. I guess the short-term benefit accrues rapidly to the taxpayer who paid for me and to a lesser degree to subsequent taxpayers.

The difference for me, the student, is huge. Perhaps insurmountably large. But if I'm such a nitwit that I can't complete my education in a reasonable time, why should I not pay the price of wasting taxpayer money?

Botnst

No on the surcharge (I think). State subsidizes 140 hours and student pays tuition. After 140 hours student pays the same tuition as before plus the amount the state paid below 140 hours. Under 140--$100 tuition from student and $100 subsidy from state. Over 140 hours, student pays $200.
This would cut out most double majors. Students returning for a second degree or further education pay the $200.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

To be blunt, getting a double Bachelor's is a waste of time unless it's done at the same time. Anyone with a BA or BS looking to get into another field should just get a Master's. They could fulfill the undergrad requirements while getting their Master's.

Education should never be limited in anyway, least of all by limiting funding. Even at 140+ hours, much can be gained by taking a class in ceramics or abstract algebra. Lots of grownups take classes to enrich their lives. When you make education inaccesible you turn people into drones.

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I would not change it.
Florida has Bright Futures scolarships if you did good in High School and will pay 75 or 100 percent of your school. (I didnt do good untill junior year so I got shafted)
Also Fafsa is a great program if you need help paying for school it is a must to look into, I'm going to school for free at the moment