The Free College in Chile should Inspire US Government
(Photo : Reuters)

Pilar Vega Martinez is a resident of Chile who is benefiting from the free tuition fee program of the country. When she was in high school, she had to study for one year to pass the country's version of the US SATs.

Due to her perseverance and hard work, she got a score that would land her a spot in one of the most highly praised universities in the country- the University of Chile. She is currently in her third year in college studying for a degree in nursing. Her life as a student got even easier when the government recently changed the policy of the school involving the payment of tuition fees. This new policy allows students in Chile to study for free in college.

The free college in Chile program is called "gratuidad". This program has been the fruit of many years of protests by Chile's citizens regarding the uncontrollable and continuously increasing tuition fees and student loans in the country. This protest had composed of participants not only from the lower class of society, but also those from higher classes of the community. 

This free college that the country of Chile is implementing is similar to the talks that the administration of the United States of America and other Democratic Party's presidential candidates are having. The implementation of the free college in Chile program should be observed by the United States for their similarities with Chile's education system.

The education system of Chile is similar to that of the United States' with all the private and public universities, high tuition fees for college, and an increasing student loan. Michelle Bachelet, a previous presidential candidate in 2013 had focused her presidential campaign on the now "free tuition" program of the country. 

Recently, the program had been voted a 92 to 2 which allowed it to pass the Congress of Chile. The policy had been fought by Bachet's successor to her campaign Sebastián Piñera. The program is a good inspiration for the United States. 

According to a study conducted by PSB Research for the Campaign for Free College Tuition, 71% of US citizens are giving their support for a 'free tuition fee' program for academically outstanding students studying in public universities and colleges.

The past of the 'free tuition' program of Chile involved multiple actions of strikes and rallies. Participants to a protest in 2011 had talked about the increased costs of going to college and the increasing number of student loans in the country.

This event had a similar occurrence recently with the political rallies that had occurred in the country. In a debate in 2011, the education system and all other aspects of education in the country were the focus of the event.

According to a student who relies on his student loans to acquire a higher degree in education, they are talking about the inequality for the many families in the country who are not financially capable of sending their children to a higher level of education and the debts given to these children who have no other choice.