I heard that a long time ago in CA, one's first 2 years of college were free.

[raccoon]

Is that true?

[Merlot]

1. If you went to a City College. They were incredibly cheap

and State Universities were also very cheep, something like $500 per sememster. That was back in the 80's. In the 90's State Universities went up to about $4500 per semester.

California used to have a commitment to higher education at a reasonable price for all. They had a really good system. ronnie as gov did his best to do away with the idea of an educated populace. other repub gov's followed suit.

[bemildred]

2. College was cheap and available to anyone.

Almost like a public service. And it was a much better education than you can get now.

[trashcanistanista]

3. When I went to City College S.F. in the 80's it was $5 a unit.

When it went up to $8/unit I was furious! I worked minimum wage and put myself through. Anyone could do that, then. Now, it's impossible.

[LeftyMom]

4. Community college is free now if your income is modest.

http://www.crc.losrios.edu/Student_Services/Financial_Aid/BOG_Fee_Waiver.htm

That's not counting any grants, etc. If you meet the guidelines, tuition gets waived, generally on-the-spot.

Otherwise, it's all of $20/unit, so a typical three unit class is $60, so tuition is cheaper than books.

[Xithras]

5. Tuition was free for everyone. Now it's only free for the poor.

California has an interesting system in that CC credits are fully transferable, and that most CC's have guaranteed admissions programs to the CSU's if you maintain a certain grade level. The CC's are required by law to accept any student who applies, so a high school dropout who registers in a community college and maintains a C or higher for two years can be automatically admitted to a 4 year university to complete his or her degree. Over the years this system has allowed millions of people to pursue a higher degree when they wouldn't otherwise been admitted to a university.

It was never really "free" because you still had to work out books and supplies, but back in the late 1970's they started charging tuition for those who could afford it. They started out at a few buck a unit, but it's like $21 or $23 a unit today (which is still dirt cheap for a fully accredited and university transferable credit). There is a fee waiver for those who cannot afford even that, and well over half of the CC students in the state still pay nothing today.

[grantcart]

6. It is still very inexpensive my daughter's first semester was less than $300

the books are more than the tuition.

[EFerrari]

7. And if you do well, it helps with the second two years.

I went to a community college and built up a record, got some recommendations and was able to walk into Cal with some scholarships in hand. It used to be easier to transfer to Cal as a Junior than to be accepted as a Freshman. I don't know if that's still true. :hi:

[davidinalameda]

8. long time ago maybe

but the community college system here is really cheap

it's about $60-$80 for a class

[proud patriot]

9. True but not anymore

[padia]

10. Yes. but you had

to pay for the books. In the early 80's I remember a big hoo haw about going from free to $5 units here in Fresno.