Ultimately the issue of free tuition at US public Universities may become one of having a single centralized decision-making body, as opposed to the loosely organized, distributed network of need-based and merit-based financial aid channels in place today. A single centralized decision-making body may take it upon itself to decide on the University assignment and field of study in addition to providing tuition payment.

A point in favor of maintaining a de-centralized approach is the opportunity for individuals to transfer colleges, redress grievances, change their majors, and maintain an internal locus of control.

Students from other lands have often shared that they came to the US to gain additional education which would not have been allowed in their country, where they are essentially assigned to an educational and career track at a young age and there are no do-overs. Some have shared that the concept of adults going back to school and preparing to change careers is a freedom limited to the US, and the availability of this option struck them as highly unusual although appealing. Depending upon your own experiences, you may have other information.

Do the US taxpayers on this forum prefer to have a single centralized decision-making body determining the educational and career trajectory for themselves and their children?