Free college programs have been gaining popularity in recent years with the promise of making higher education more accessible. But do these programs actually work as intended?
David Monaghan, an associate professor of sociology at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, has conducted research that suggests the effectiveness of these programs varies depending on how they are structured. In a recent working paper, Monaghan compared two free college programs in Pennsylvania to analyze their outcomes.
One of the programs, the Morgan Success Scholarship at Lehigh Carbon Community College, successfully increased college enrollment rates at Tamaqua Area High School. However, it also led some students to choose the two-year college route instead of pursuing a four-year degree, potentially limiting their educational attainment in the long run.
On the other hand, the Community College of Philadelphia’s free college program did not result in a significant increase in enrollment. Monaghan believes this may be due to a lack of awareness about the program and the application process.
These findings highlight the importance of how free college programs are implemented and communicated. Monaghan argues that many programs have restrictions and requirements that can be challenging for high school students to navigate.
While some free college programs, like MassReconnect in Massachusetts, have successfully increased enrollment, they have also strained resources at community colleges. This underscores the need for careful planning and communication when designing free college initiatives.
Overall, the research conducted by Monaghan emphasizes the need for a thoughtful and strategic approach to free college programs to ensure their success and maximize their impact.
