Obama outlines community college plan.

[calteacherguy]

Later in the day, Obama was to appear at a fast-growing community college in Fort Dodge and outline a plan to give community colleges incentives to grow and tailor their programs to meet the needs of local industries.

In remarks provided by his campaign, Obama said community colleges are often a forgotten link in the nation's education system.

"This initiative will help community colleges analyze what skills are needed to prepare students to work in local industry," Obama said in a statement. "We'll reward success by providing grants to schools that graduate more students and to schools that increase the number of their students who transfer to four-year colleges."

In addition, Obama said he would streamline a student aid program that he argued is so complex that as many as 1.5 million eligible students a year don't bother applying.

"That's why I'll simplify the process by eliminating the applications for student loans altogether," said Obama. "Instead, families will just check a box on their tax form to determine eligibility."

Obama has called for a $4,000 refundable tax credit for higher education expenses, and he said that tax break would cover the cost at most community colleges.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iXFQbVLl-ShP1_pg6CGNiyaBTmfwD8T0SIQO0

[sandnsea]

1. check a box, tuition paid

Now that's something the 50% will jump up and cheer over - if the media ever bothers to tell them it even exists.

[Adelante]

2. Public college was free in New York when I went

I took some loans for living expenses, but I managed to pay them back quickly once I was working. It's so much more difficult now, practically impossible. This is a great thing. Dodd, I believe, also favors free community college.