Why FREE college HURTS the poor - VisualEconomik EN

Summary

This VisualEconomik video explores the complexities of free university access, challenging the notion that it promotes equality. Despite France's heavily subsidized universities, access remains skewed towards wealthier students, similar to the US. The video argues that early academic disadvantages and additional educational costs beyond tuition fees are the real barriers. It suggests that free tuition can paradoxically increase inequality, as public funds disproportionately benefit the rich. The video concludes by examining England's student loan system and scholarships as a more equitable alternative to universal free tuition.

Takeaways

• 😀 Access to university should ideally be free to promote equal opportunities, but the reality is more complex.
• 📊 In both the US and France, children from wealthier families are three times more likely to attend university than those from poorer families, despite France's heavily subsidized universities.
• 🤔 The cost of tuition may not be the primary barrier to university access for lower-income students; early academic disadvantages play a significant role.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Children from less affluent families start at a disadvantage as early as kindergarten, which can impact their future educational attainment.
• 💼 The 'free university' model can paradoxically increase inequality by allocating public funds mostly to wealthier students who are more likely to attend.
• 🏛️ In France, despite free education, the wealthy receive more than twice the university grants compared to the poorest, highlighting a regressive policy.
• 📉 In England, the introduction of tuition fees and the elimination of reduced fees for the poor did not harm the middle and lower classes, contrary to expectations.
• 💼 The English reforms included student loans that did not need to be repaid if the graduate's income was below a certain threshold, making university accessible to the poor.
• 🏆 Scholarships and targeted financial aid can be more effective in ensuring university access for disadvantaged students than free tuition.
• 💭 The discussion suggests that the key to university access is not just about free tuition but also about addressing early educational inequalities and providing smart financial support.

Q & A

What is the main argument of the video regarding free university access?

The video argues that free university access, while seemingly beneficial, may not effectively address social inequality and could paradoxically increase it by disproportionately benefiting wealthier students.

Why does the video suggest that free university access might not be as beneficial as it seems?

The video suggests that the main barrier to university access for lower-income students is not the cost of tuition but rather early academic disadvantages and the broader costs of attending university, such as housing and living expenses.

What is the 'inverted Robin Hood' effect mentioned in the video?

The 'inverted Robin Hood' effect refers to the situation where public funds, meant to support education, end up disproportionately benefiting wealthier students who are more likely to attend university, thus inadvertently increasing inequality.

How does the video illustrate the similarity between the US and French university systems?

Despite France having highly subsidized universities, the video shows that the access rates for both rich and poor students in France are almost identical to those in the US, where universities are often private and expensive.

What role do early academic disadvantages play in university access, according to the video?

Early academic disadvantages, such as the ability to recognize letters at the start of kindergarten, are shown to disproportionately affect children from lower-income families, leading to a higher likelihood of early dropout and reduced university access.

What changes were made to the British university system in 1998 and later in 2006 and 2012?

In 1998, the British government introduced tuition fees up to £1,000 per year. In 2006 and 2012, the fees were increased to £9,000 per year, and reduced tuition for lower-income families was eliminated.

How did the British reforms of 2006 affect university participation rates among different income groups?

The reforms led to a reduction in university participation by students from wealthier families, while not negatively impacting the middle and lower classes.

What is the significance of the student loan program introduced alongside the British university reforms?

The student loan program allowed students to attend university with the assurance that they would not have to repay the loans if they did not secure a well-paying job after graduation, making university access risk-free for the disadvantaged.

How do scholarships play a role in the British university system as discussed in the video?

Scholarships, up to £3,700 per year for students with limited resources, help cover additional costs such as rent, food, and transport, enabling students from less affluent families to attend universities farther from home.

What are the three main conclusions drawn from the video regarding university access and funding?

The three main conclusions are: 1) Free college tends to be regressive, allocating public money mostly to those who don't need it. 2) Early dropout, not tuition costs, is the main barrier for limited-means students. 3) There are more efficient methods, like student loans and targeted scholarships, to ensure university access without public waste.