Somewhat Off-Topic and Hypothetical

[SBCatMan]

So, there is some talk about making college tuition free at all public institutions. I do not want to talk at all about whether or not that is a good idea. I do not want to even dip my toe into the politics of the idea. Please do not go there.

My question, on which I would welcome comments, is this: If college were free, how would that impact scholarships? Why would athletes need athletic scholarships if college were free anyway? How would that impact recruiting? And what about private institutions where tuition would still be very costly?

Any crazy thoughts are welcome, as long as they are not political.

[Blue Heaven]

Someone has to pay for the "free" college. Not enough charity in the world to make that universal. That's about as non-political as I can get.

Unfortunately with a topic such as this, it can't help but involve politics because that is why we are having this conversation in the first place. It's where it was born from.

[Spiritof96]

So, there is some talk about making college tuition free at all public institutions. I do not want to talk at all about whether or not that is a good idea. I do not want to even dip my toe into the politics of the idea. Please do not go there.

My question, on which I would welcome comments, is this: If college were free, how would that impact scholarships? Why would athletes need athletic scholarships if college were free anyway? How would that impact recruiting? And what about private institutions where tuition would still be very costly?

Any crazy thoughts are welcome, as long as they are not political.

If it were free to all, (something that will never occur) scholarships would cease to be a thing. The basic appeals involved in recruiting wouldn't be different than they are now, Coach relationship, opportunity to play, facilities and lifestyle, prestige, opportunity to win, opportunity to make the league.

I'm sure the NCAA would cap the number of students allowed on a roster.

Since NCAA athletics currently revolves around a finite number of scholarships available to each school, they are functionally irrelevant now. (unless it's a choice between a scholarship at school a and walk on at school b).

[40bill]

It would likely go to more importance of a stipend for players. The kids would actually be more clearly stated as employees of the university.
Which they are. Currently they get paid by scholarship.

[johnkyblue]

I've never heard of a European Uni winning anything sports wise. Of course the history would make it different, but it would damage college sports.

[Catsrock]

Can't help but to wonder...who is it having the discussion about making college free?

[Spiritof96]

I've never heard of a European Uni winning anything sports wise. Of course the history would make it different, but it would damage college sports.

University athletics in Europe is an odd amalgam of varsity (with no money) and club athletics. At least it is in England. And higher ed there isn't free.

[Spiritof96]

Can't help but to wonder...who is it having the discussion about making college free?

I have heard a very few Faculty members at UK assert that this is a good idea. They are not intending to start working for free and they had no concept of how it would be paid for.

[40bill]

Can't help but to wonder...who is it having the discussion about making college free?

That's been a Bernie Sanders plank that some Democratic candidates are thinking about.
i think Warren is promoting a plan to cancel student loan debt on some type of sliding scale, which would in essence make some of that 'free'.

[johnkyblue]

The boomers had almost free college. The equivalent of a summer's work would pay for it. I do think the boomers should have paid more for their kid's college, my generation too, the greatest generation's legacy died with the boom.

[40bill]

I do think the boomers should have paid more for their kid's college, my generation too, the greatest generation's legacy died with the boom.

You think my parents and myself should have paid more?
interesting. Why so?

[Dwight Schrute]

Any free college would likely be relegated to state schools or, most likely, community college programs. But that said, if it were as the OP were asking and UK and other state schools were free, I do kinda wonder how it would affect private schools like Duke or Vanderbilt - would they give scholarships?

[johnkyblue]

You think my parents and myself should have paid more?
interesting. Why so?

Made a thread in the politics forum: https://wildcatnation.vbulletin.net/...-college-thing

[40bill]

Made a thread in the politics forum: https://wildcatnation.vbulletin.net/...-college-thing

Good idea John.