Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, President Obama highlighted what he called his "bold" plan to make community college free for some students. He also called for an overhaul of the tax code that redirects benefits away from wealthy Americans in order to extend tax credits for college.
As has been the case with other key speeches throughout his presidency, Obama’s latest State of the Union address framed higher education in economic terms, casting it as vital to national competitiveness.
The president wove college affordability into a speech that focused, in broad strokes, on combating inequality and pitching a domestic agenda that he dubbed "middle-class economics."
After describing his plan to eliminate tuition for some community college students, Obama said "let's stay ahead of the curve."
Like he did in first announcing the community college plan earlier this month, Obama pitched it as an idea that should have bipartisan appeal. He alluded to the Tennessee Promise program championed by Republican Governor Bill Haslam and a free community college program run by Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Chicago.
"Whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy, without a load of debt," Obama said. "Understand, you’ve got to earn it -- you’ve got to keep your grades up and graduate on time."
Read more at Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/01/21/obama-pitches-free-community-college-higher-education-tax-credits-state-union