Poll: Where do you stand on free tuition to state colleges and universities

[JDPriestly]

16. I would like to add that one of the reasons that I strongly support tuition-free

state schools is that I think it will help immigrant kids.

My husband is an immigrant, came here with his family at the age of 12. Like a lot of immigrant children, he was the official family translator.

His family really had no money. They would have had a hard time even filling out financial aid forms. So my husband joined the military to get free college tuition.

Nowadays that is not such an easy solution.

But for immigrants of all races, free tuition at states schools including trade schools would really be an enormous step up, a way to integrate people of all backgrounds into our society.

Also, I think it is essential to have free tuition in this time of rapid economic change. So many people have to find a new profession in their 40s, 50s and 60s because their jobs are rendered obsolete by technology or outsourcing. Free tuition at state schools especially including trade schools would help us adjust to our changing economy.

I went back to school at the age of 50 and studied to enter a new profession. A lot of older people ask me whether they should do that. I have to tell them that they should only do that if the field they enter is likely to pay enough to permit them to repay any student debt they incur. That's a tough bill to fill. Physical therapy???? Probably won't allow the older student to pay back student debts in the 15-25 years remaining of a working life.

So many considerations enter into this issue. That's why I asked people to comment. It is something we need to consider carefully.

I don't know whether you ever had to fill out the financial aid forms. I did --- twice. It was challenging enough for me. I would hate to have to think of immigrant parents doing it. The forms are very intrusive.

I want all of our young people to have an equal chance to study the field that will allow them to earn a good living and contribute to the health and well being of our society. Student debt is definitely a deterrent.

Other members of my family are immigrant kids. It's really tough to pay for your kid's college when you are an immigrant family.