In an attempt to quell the swelling cost of attending a four-year university, a new bill in the state Legislature aims to pay student tuition and fees in exchange for two years of civil service upon graduation.
The legislation is an attempt to make service to the greater community a more popular line of work, as well as enable students to take such jobs without having to worry too much about making enough to pay loans and living costs after graduation.
Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) proposed the bill, AB 1267, to make it financially easier for students to obtain a degree while increasing the number of quality employees in the field of civic service.
The bill would finance university tuition and fees for either a one- or two-year commitment to service, depending on what type of occupation the student chooses.
Four years of fees would be paid if a student from a University of California or California State University campus works two years as a firefighter, peace officer, medical technician or another similar occupation where recruitment is currently lacking.
Volunteer service within a nonprofit organization would qualify a student for two years of tuition and fees, as long as service totaled at least 600 hours per year for two years, and occupations could range anywhere from working in drug addiction clinics to homeless shelters.
The bill would only apply to students who are enrolled in a California public school, and who have qualified for a state or federal loan.
It would not, however, provide funding for books, housing or any other costs of living, or provide jobs.
Those who made the commitment would agree to repay the state if they do not follow through with their end of the bargain.
Many other aspects remain to be negotiated, such as whether certain scenarios would give particular students priority.
Such particularities have left some students skeptical, including Eleanor Roosevelt College sophomore Karen Chow.
“”Yes, it does sound like something that could be potentially good for students,”” Chow said. “”But I can also see such a commitment making the next two years of life difficult for a student who is placed under a high-demand situation. It’s hard to imagine being thrown out of four stressful years of college into two years of intense labor.””
Other students were unsure whether the bill would inspire true philanthropy in students, or if they would merely participate in order to avoid paying for their own education.
“”I think it may be slightly hard to tell if students would agree to the two-year commitment for the sake of surpassing payment for college, or if they are doing it for the sake of doing it,”” Roosevelt sophomore Emmanuel Alberto said. “”This dilemma could make or break the potential of the bill.””
According to Feuer’s spokesman, David Stammerjohan, the bill would develop opportunities for those who wish to engage in significant civic service careers.
He added that creating a bureaucratic maze for students is far from his office’s intent.
Student debt across the country is becoming increasingly higher. However, public university students in California pay some of the lowest relative debts.
According to the Project on Student Debt, California students had an overall average debt of $15,203 in 2005, the fourth-lowest in the nation. In terms of debt at public institutions, the average was $12,542, the second-lowest across the nation.
“”I believe that it’s really important that the state takes interest in education and the welfare of the individual,”” Earl Warren College freshman Matthew Wohl said. “”It’s good to know it’s taking a step in that direction.””
The University of California has yet not formulated an opinion on the legislation, UC Office of the President spokesman Ricardo Vazquez said.
