Brandi Abrams

Nothing elicits a visceral response like a conversation about politics. This election season, more time is being spent covering who said what horrible thing or who sent what type of email, than on the facts themselves. This article is an attempt at a nonpartisan explanation of each candidate’s higher education platform. We at The Beacon will try to explain—without bias, your own visceral response notwithstanding—how each candidate would impact the student experience here at Southern Maine Community College. Both Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump have websites that explain their respective platforms on any issue imaginable. In regard to education, however, one candidate has a well-thought-out plan while the other does not.  

Much like Donald Trump’s ever-elusive tax returns, his education platform is basically missing. And, as with the tax returns, we’re expected to believe the facts are in order, and in our best interest. His education platform only addresses higher education two times. Mr. Trump states that he will, “work with congress on reforms to ensure universities are making a good-faith effort to reduce the cost of college and student debt.” He goes on to say that post-secondary education “will be easier to access, pay for, and finish.” His plan for higher education is a “good-faith effort.” Trump does not address the astronomical interest rates students face when repaying student debt. He also does not address the plight of college students who have children of their own, nor the difficulty of families who make under $125,000 a year in funding their children’s education. He has said that he will not back debt-free or tuition-free higher education.

At a CNN town-hall event, Donald Trump said that education was “one of the three most important priorities of the federal government.” Still, he provides no educational plan for “making America great again.” Perhaps greatness is not impacted by educational opportunities.

Hillary Clinton’s education platform, in contrast, would dramatically improve the lives and experiences of students here at SMCC. Ms. Clinton believes that everyone deserves a chance at higher education, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Her plan would use state and federal funds to pay community college tuition completely. Tuition at SMCC would be free.

And that’s not all. In the first years of Ms. Clinton’s plan, students from families that make $85,000 or less would be able to go to an in-state public college or university for free. By 2021, families making $125,000 would also be eligible for free in-state college tuition.

Regarding student loans, Ms. Clinton’s educational plan states that students will never be expected to pay back more than 10% of their income, and after twenty years, any remaining college debt will be forgiven. She has a plan for delinquent borrowers to get out of default and get back on their feet, and she will “crack down on predatory schools, lenders, and bill collectors.”

Secretary Clinton also has creative ideas for paying back education debt. She plans on using a payroll deduction system to simplify and reduce costs associated with loan repayment.

And, if elected, Ms. Clinton will take immediate executive action to offer a three-month moratorium on student loan payments. This will allow students and graduates to take advantage of the new initiatives.

Finally, Ms. Clinton has a plan to increase funding for quality child care on campus for student parents, as well as offering student parents extra scholarships to help with the expenses associated with raising children.

These are the facts. The choice is yours. Vote. If you would like to read more about each of the candidates platforms, information can be found at www.hillaryclinton.com and www.donaldjtrump.com