There is Actually Nothing for Low-Income Students in Cuomo’s Free-College Plan

This week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to cover tuition at state colleges and universities for any residents whose families earn less than $125,000 a year. Matthew M. Chingos, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, argues that the proposal will do little to help the state’s neediest students. — Danielle Douglas-Gabriel

By Matthew M. Chingos 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appeared to jump on the progressive bandwagon when he announced a free-college plan yesterday. But buried in the fine print of the $163 million plan are significant benefits to upper-middle-income families — those making up to $125,000 per year — while the plan does nothing for low-income students, for whom existing grant aid already covers tuition. 

Free-college plans surged in popularity in 2016 as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) made such a plan a central element of his presidential campaign, and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton eventually followed suit. 

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Source: The Washington Post (via The Empire Report)