Obama proposes free community college

President Obama outlined a proposal on Thursday for free universal community college for the nation's students and workers that is expected to save enrolled students about $3800 a year.  The plan will be discussed in the President's State of the Union message scheduled for January 20.

The plan is similar to an already established program in Tennessee, which requires students to maintain a 2.0 average, have a mentor and also complete community service.  The Tennessee program is funded by lottery proceeds.  Tobacco tax funds were considered, but that source of funding has been steadily dwindling.

The proposal would benefit approximately 9 million students, but there is concern about the building capacity of the nation's 1,100 community college.  Congress would have to approve the plan which would cooperate with states on a voluntary basis.

USA Today.com story