I paid for my 1965-1971 college education by working summers and weekends, student jobs, a graduate assistantship and a small monthly check because of my father’s disability. I carpooled for my junior college years using my parent’s car and gasoline. I bought a car and went to a Kentucky college with out-of-state tuition.

My first semester at Murray State University cost less than $800 for tuition, dorm and fifteen meals per week. I doubt if books were over $200. My parents paid for my insurance and sometimes paid for my bi-weekly trips home for food, laundry, and $.35 a gallon gasoline.

The ratio of the money I made to my college costs made it possible. The money a kid can make today will not pay for an education. The costs have risen so much that financial aid is required. Large loans are required for most middle class kids and less-than-middle class kids — massive loans. When they get out of school they are saddled with having to pay off their huge loans stifling their new life for decades.

Our new president and education secretary want to make loans harder to get and cost more. If this happens, many kids will not be able to take that step toward a better life. One governor is starving our universities’ funding forcing them to close or raise tuition. Our country has provided education for everyone until now!