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President Obama is taking efforts to keep colleges affordable and provide federal aids only to schools that can achieve the administration’s goal of reducing college drop outs.

In his State of the Union address last month, Obama pointed out some innovative ways to keep college tuition under control. He also expressed his concerns about the number of graduates, number of graduates without appropriate careers and increasing amount of debt among students due to education loans. Obama’s proposals have got mixed opinions from Americans.

Obama has proposed an increase in Perkins loan aid from $1 billion to $8 billion. A new $55 million will be allotted to schools that win the “Race to the top” competition. This would help encourage colleges to spend federal fund more efficiently. A new $1 billion grant will be awarded to states that control tuition. The work study jobs will be doubled. The interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans will be maintained in the current level of 3.4% till July 1st.

Obama’s proposal sounds great for college students who are struggling to pay high tuition.   President has plans to control higher education institutions on tuition hikes. Increased aid for students from low income families is yet another favorable thing in President’s proposals.

However, some people expressed different views about the higher education plan. They say that the government seems to make promises to provide more money that they just do not have. It encourages schools to perform better and show highest percentage of graduating students.  They question how this could encourage teachers and faculty to do more than what they used to do.

They also specify that money incentives to students are not at all enough. Tying federal funding to college costs may drive colleges to cut the costs, but chances are there that they compromise the quality of education.

People having different opinion for Obama’s proposal say that it is in the hands of the students to better himself or her. They need very little help from teachers. If students do not see money is not in their hands, they may behave almost as if it does not exist. Nowadays, many students do not have any ambition in attending schools. They are not sure about their goal and career.

It is worth providing more attention to helping students in identifying their personal plan, their goal of attending college and their future plans. If the students have clear idea in these issues, they would improve themselves. The education system is in need of someone to work to produce higher graduation rates and provide students with essential knowledge and skills to get success in their career, no matter how much aid they get from the government.

Our President’s viewpoint about higher education is of course right. However, there is neither clear detail nor essential financial means to keep the promises he makes to colleges. His proposal would definitely motivate teachers and student. However, it is disheartening to wait for something that may not happen.