Obama on Cost of Community College: ‘I Want to Bring it Down to Zero’

"Anybody with that drive and discipline should be denied a college education just because they do not have the money. Every American, whether they're young or just young at heart, should be able to earn the skills and education necessary to compete and win in the 21st century economy.

So, today, I am announcing an ambitious new plan to bring down the cost of community college tuition in America. I want to bring it down to zero! … I want to make it free. Community colleges should be free for those willing to work for it because in America quality education cannot be a privilege that is reserved for a few. I think it's a right for everybody who is willing to work for it. Now, the good news is, you already do something like this in Tennessee. You call it Tennessee Promise. (Applause) So, you call it Tennessee Promise and we thought why not just build on what works?  So we are going to call it America’s College Promise. (Applause)

And the concept is simple. America’s College Promise will make two years of community college free to responsible students who are willing to work for it. I want to underscore that last clause - everybody who is working hard for it. There are no free rides in America. You would have to earn it ... This is not a blank check. It's not a free lunch. But, for those willing to do the work and for states and local communities that want to be part of this, it can be a game changer."