Kerry: College should be more affordable

Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., spoke in depth about his plans to make college affordable in a difficult economy Tuesday in a teleconference for college media venues around the nation. \nHis proposals included billions in tax breaks for college students and tuition assistance in exchange for military service. \n"Over the last three years, college tuitions have increased about 28 percent. And that's even after you take inflation into account," Kerry said. "That has meant that, remarkably, 220,000 young people have been priced out of college this year. That means 220,000 people would have gone to a four-year public university, but they didn't because of the rising tuition."\nMore than 100 college media outlets participated in the teleconference. Kerry took only six questions during the 30-minute discussion. \nThe teleconference was held to kick off Kerry's new "Change Starts with 'U'" campaign, which started Monday. The tour is targeting universities and college students.\nKerry's first port of call for the tour came Monday at the University of New Hampshire. He spoke Tuesday at the University of Rhode Island Providence and will speak at the City College of New York today.\nNo plans have been announced as of yet for a stop at IU.\nKerry attributed the rise in tuition to the Bush administration. Because of the tax cuts for the wealthy, the administration has been cutting funds to universities, student loans, Pell grants and Perkins loans, Kerry said. The schools have had no choice but to raise tuition, he said.\n"In effect, George Bush's tax cut for the wealthy is a tuition tax increase for students. And I think it is unconscionable," Kerry said.\nKerry proposes what he calls the State Tax Relief and Education Fund -- a $25 billion, one-year, paid-to-the-states program to start counteracting the $200 billion shortfall in education funds available. \nHe also proposes $50 billion in tax credits available to students to help pay for college. This means, he said, to $4,000 per student.\n"There's a direct choice in this race, and that's a choice between common sense and a failed economic policy that's seen us lose three million jobs. … I think it's a pretty stark choice," Kerry said.\nThe senator also talked about his "Service for College" campaign, which, similar to the GI Bill, will supplement college tuition for students who serve two or more years in the armed services. It would also benefit those serving for two years in a community service profession, paying for four years of their college education.\n"That's a program we may have to scale back as to how many people we can allow to do it, but we will keep the program to a certain degree because I think it is very important to encourage that kind of service," Kerry said, adding he will keep benefits already in place to benefit military service and college education.\nKerry spoke about other issues that would interest students as well, including Social Security and health care.\n"I have a health care plan for all Americans that will make health care more affordable and accessible," Kerry said. "I'm also going to create jobs for when people come out of college. They want a high-paying, decent job."\nKerry ended the conference with saying, if elected, he plans to create 10 million new jobs over the course of the next four years. \n"They're going to be … the kind of high-technology and high-paying jobs people need on graduating from college," Kerry said.\nHe is optimistic that, as science uncovers more alternative and renewable energy sources, these jobs will be open.\n"We're going to start down the road of energy independence, and that should create some 500,000 jobs in and of itself," Kerry said.\nTo learn more about Kerry's campaign, visit his Web site at www.johnkerry.com.\n-- Contact staff writer Andrew Welfle at awelfle@indiana.edu