WAUSAU Wis. — U.S. Sen. Barack Obama detailed a plan to strengthen community colleges, including making community college free for some Americans, during a campaign stop Saturday in central Wisconsin.
“Americans should not be denied an education because they cannot pay for it,” Obama told the crowd of about 50 students, faculty and community members at Northcentral Technical College.
The economy is changing at a “breathtaking pace,” and workers need different skills, Obama said.
“In a moment when people are finding it harder and harder to get ahead, it’s time to call upon our community colleges once again,” he said.
His plan includes creating a tax credit of up to $4,000 for community college students. Recipients will be required to conduct 100 hours of public service a year.
The plan also calls for providing more grants to community colleges, supporting science, technology, engineering and math programs, making it easier to apply for financial aid and expanding Pell grants for low income students.
Other portions of the plan would reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act, increase workforce development funding and promote lifelong learning.
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