Free College is a Great Idea for Americans in Need

By Damita Levy

I watched "CBS Sunday Morning" today and was pleasantly surprised to discover a non-profit providing real educational support. There was no application process where a select number learned of opportunities for considerations.

The organization, aptly called Hope Chicago, provided real support to aid needy students and their families attempt to achieve economic parity with those more fortunate.

Hope Chicago is pledging to provide free college to all high school graduates from five Chicago high schools and their families free of charge!

Hope Chicago understands that systemic financial and economic inequities have led to lack of access to better lives. That organization has a goal to raise $1 Billion to fund scholarships for needy, underserved students and their families in Chicago Public schools.

These graduates and their families are free to pursue studies which may better their lives and those of their forbears, without worries over student loans. This can mean that those awarded scholarships can: begin jobs, look to rent better apartments, buy homes, or start businesses without the yoke of student loans.

Graduation rates of public-school students in Chicago have risen over the last few years – from 80.3 in 2017 to 83.5 in 2020, per the To & Through Project's report on the “Educational Attainment of Chicago Public School Students." This report was published in 2022 by the University of Chicago.

The aim from Hope Chicago appears to be that scholarships will improve the college completion rate of graduates and their families, and in turn better everyone’s lives. It would be outstanding if this became the norm overall. ll. ll. l. . tudents." This report was published in 2022 by the University of Chicago. ago. go. o. . the yoke of student loans. ans. ns. s. .

The aim from Hope Chicago appears to be that scholarships will improve the college completion rate of graduates and their families, and in turn better everyone’s lives. It would be outstanding if this became the norm overall.

*Hope Chicago

*Report: More Chicago seniors may be graduating — but only a fraction finish college - Chalkbeat Chicago

*The Educational Attainment of Chicago Public Schools Students | The To&Through Project (uchicago.edu)