STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- President Barack Obama's proposal to make a publicly funded, two-year community college education accessible to high school graduates, could "open many doors" for Staten Island students, said educators and career counselors. "It would open up a whole new world to many students who are concerned about college costs and careers," said Caryl Watkins, director of...
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- President Barack Obama's proposal to make a publicly funded, two-year community college education accessible to high school graduates, could "open many doors" for Staten Island students, said educators and career counselors.
"It would open up a whole new world to many students who are concerned about college costs and careers," said Caryl Watkins, director of the Career and Scholarship Center at the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook.
Obama on Friday proposed to bring the cost of two years of community college "down to zero" for all Americans, an ambitious nationwide plan.
The president, who plans to push the issue in his Jan. 20 State of the Union address, argued that providing educational opportunity and creating a more skilled U.S. workforce shouldn't be a partisan issue.
"Community college should be free for those willing to work for it because, in America, a quality education should not be a privilege that is reserved for a few," he said. He said a high school diploma is no longer enough for American workers to compete in the global economy and that a college degree is "the surest ticket to the middle class."
"It would definitely bring students into the academic world, where they could find a career that they have an interest in," said CSI's Watkins.
At CSI, she said, one of the most popular two-year degrees is an associate degree in business. "Companies want employees with skills beyond a high school diploma today. A two-year-degree would give them the communications and critical thinking skills to get them started."
At McKee Career and Technical High School, guidance counselor Jennifer Pecora said the president's proposal would be beneficial to McKee students, who are often torn between entering the workforce, or continuing their education. "At 17 or 18, not too many teens are focused on the big picture."
School-related debt is a "big concern" for students, some of whom will be the first in their families to earn a college degree.
"We focus on matching a student to their interests, a SUNY or CUNY school, where they can get a two-year or four-year degree, or a technical school," Ms. Pecora said. "It's tempting to go straight to work, but we tell them that you earn more over your lifetime if you have some sort of post-high school education."
But before they even consider a major and career, students are shopping around for colleges offering the best bang for their buck.
Concerned about being saddled with student loan debts, more students are opting for SUNY and CUNY colleges.
At CSI, for example, enrollment is up more than 20 percent since 2005, to more than 14,500 students for 2014-2015. Tuition is just over $3,000 per semester at CSI and other City colleges for full-time undergraduate students who live on Staten Island and elsewhere in the city.
Meanwhile, applications to top SUNY schools have also jumped; the University of Albany -- a top choice among Island students -- received 21,900 applications for 10,000 available seats for the incoming class of 2014.
"College loan debt is a big concern for students and families; because of the poor economy over the last few years, many middle-class families have used up their savings, or are limited as to what they can save for college," said Regina Pohlman, college and career counselor for senior students at Monsignor Farrell High School, Oakwood.
The president's proposal, she said, could cut the financial burden in half for families and students.
At CSI's Willowbrook campus Wednesday, several students said they welcomed the president's proposal.
"I think that's amazing. This makes me wish I was a freshman now. I am still paying off student loans," said senior Maria Perez, 23, of Bloomingdale. "With an associate's degree it opens up a lot more opportunities for students, and then if people wanted to they could continue to get a four-year degree and just pay for the last two years of college."
"It's an excellent idea," said Dilan Christian, 19, of South Beach, a sophomore pre-med student at CSI. "People who can't afford to pay can start going to school and at least get an associate's degree and then they can work and earn money for a four-year degree." He added he owes between $6,000 to $8,000 in student loans, and expects to borrow more to cover graduate school and medical school.
Shiney David, 23, of South Beach, a graduate student studying physical therapy at CSI, said she has $17,000 in loans from graduate school.
"It's a good idea because it's a good kick-start for high school students looking into college who don't know if want to go for the full four years. They can get an associate's degree and get a job with that or at least be encouraged to get bachelor's," she said.
Diana Estrada, 19, of Westerleigh, is a freshman studying exercise science at Cabrini College in Pennsylvannia. She switched her major from criminology to exercise science and will be transferring to CSI. She said the president's proposal would help ease the emotional burden of some students: "It makes you feel so guilty going to class knowing your parents have to work so hard to help you out."
Advance reporter Kiawana Rich contributed to this report.