When you fail to study before exams...

[sanantone]

Apples and oranges, not antipathy. A graduate with an AA for transfer hasn't yet earned their job skills they'll earn when they do their major. In other words, the "free community college" hasn't paid for 2 (+) years that matter- the last 2.

They matter because you need the first two years to earn the 4-year degree. Let's say that there is a shortage of people with bachelor's degrees in computer science (according to the government, there is). The average associate's degree at a community college will cost $6,000. The average cost of the last two years of college is $18,000, but the cost of the last two years doesn't really matter. Free community college just saved that student $6,000 making it easier for him or her to afford the last two years or to graduate with less debt.

I guess my problem is that I don't see it as a problem that needs solving.

We do have Pell Grants- and it's true not everyone qualifies, but many do! https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grant...ships/pell
There are avenues to access scholarships while you're enrolled, especially at the community college level (Rebel can share his daughter's awesome story)
CLEP exams are accepted in some amount at most community colleges in the country for those so inclined
Somewhere around 60% of large companies offer tuition reimbursement in some amount
College isn't the only way to earn a living in this country, only about half the adults even have college degrees
K-12 is already mandated and funded by the government, secondary education is still a privilege - but people are arguing as if it's an entitlement.

Everyone on this board is a shining example of exceptional motivation not exceptional privilege or exceptional talent (though I'm sure we have both, too) and frankly, a little more chutzpah will take a person farther than a few more dollars.

Eliminating the Pell Grant eliminates the middle man and waste. You can educate more people with roughly the same amount of money by distributing the money more efficiently.

College isn't the only way to earn a living, but those with associate's and bachelor's degree do earn more than people with just a high school diploma or GED, on average.