With the guidance of of MSU political science assistant professor and education funding expert Sarah Reckhow, The State News compiled information about where each presidential candidate stands on higher education funding and student debt relief.
Clinton has proposed programs to relieve debt for students and make it easier for students to repay loans.
Reckhow said both Sanders and Clinton agree loan rates need to be lowered for students.
“Her idea is more funding for child care for students who have children,” Reckhow said. “That’s sort of a really overlooked area in our higher ed financial system.”
Sanders and Clinton disagree on the policy proposal of free college.
“Hillary has definitely not made (free college) a part of her platform,” Reckhow said. She said Clinton will probably never go as far as to propose free college.
Reckhow said Clinton has tax credits, reducing student loan rates and having greater opportunity to refinance their loans.
“You have Sanders raising this issue of free college,” Reckhow said. “That’s been a huge galvanizing force in his campaign.”
Reckhow said she’s unsure how Sanders’ plan for free college will work out and be paid for.
Sanders is the only nominee on either side who has proposed free college.
“For Sanders it’s a lot of things he proposes — I don’t know how he would accomplish free college,” Reckhow said.
“On the Republican side, you’ll see that Rubio does have a pretty detailed plan on higher (education),” Reckhow said.
Reckhow said Rubio’s plan includes accrediting institutions and training not traditionally accredited at places of higher education.
His proposal would entail making other programs available in fields such as programming, Reckhow said.
Recently, Kasich visited MSU and higher education funding was a part of his discussion while talking to students.
Reckhow said she hasn’t seen a specific proposal by Kasich, but through discussion he would eventually produce one.
In a previous article from The State News, Kasich highlighted higher education while speaking at the Union.
Kasich said not only is tuition skyrocketing, but so is the price of textbooks and on-campus living.
“He’s another person who, like Rubio, I would expect to have pretty concrete plans,” Reckhow said.
Reckhow said the higher education situation in Ohio has given Kasich experience for the future plans he makes.
Kasich is one of two Republican nominees bringing higher education into the conversation.
Carson hasn’t discussed higher education in a significant capacity.
Trump has yet to announce a proposal on higher education funding and it has not been a pillar of his campaign.
“He doesn’t have any discernible policy positions other than building a wall,” Reckhow said.
Reckhow said the only interesting part regarding Trump and higher education is the current scandal surrounding “Trump University.”
Cruz hasn’t spoken in depth on debt relief or higher education funding.
