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     America is one of the most expensive countries to pursue a college education, and over the last 30 years, the cost of college in America has become more expensive. Within that period, the price of public four-year universities rose from $4,160 to $10,740 per year. Along with the rising tuition costs, the demand for financial assistance and student loans has also increased. Currently, 46 million Americans collectively owe $1.75 trillion in federal and private loans, making it apparent that the U.S. has a student debt crisis. 

     On April 6, 2022, President Biden announced an extension of the pause on student loan repayment through Aug 31, 2022. However, many people are unsatisfied with this change. As a better solution to the crushing student debt issue in America, people have proposed canceling student debt and making all public universities and colleges tuition-free. Debt-free education will not only provide personal benefits for Americans, but it will also benefit the nation as a whole. 

     Firstly, making public postsecondary education free in the U.S. will remove the financial obstacles that many people face in completing their degrees. According to The Princeton Review’s 2021 College Hopes and Worries survey, the foremost concern of students and parents are the cost and the debt load that frequently accompany a college degree. Additionally, the Education Data Initiative discovered that 38% of college dropouts say they left their education due to financial issues. However, if college education were free, people would not have to deal with these issues.

     Moreover, free public college tuition can aid in widening the workforce because many careers and employers require or prefer a college education for certain jobs. So, if college was free, enabling more people to attend, more people would become qualified, enter the job market, create more competition, and spur the creation of more jobs. 

     Finally, making public college education free can help boost the country’s economy. The average student graduates with $31,172 in debt, and their debt often increases over time with interest. Therefore, it can take an extensive amount of time before they can eliminate their debt that only appears to be increasing. College debt often hinders a person’s spending on items such as a home or vehicle. Conversely, if people graduated without debt, they would be able to spend more money, therefore improving the economy. 

     In short, student loan debt and high tuition costs create a barrier for many students, but by making public colleges and universities free, this issue can be solved and create many benefits for society.