"Free" College Isn't So Free

So if you pay attention to politics, you've probably seen plans from several candidates (and one from President Obama), that promise free or much reduced college cost for students.  The goal of these plans --  taking away the financial barriers to completing college -- is admirable and I support it.  The devil, as they say, is in the details.  Some quick thoughts:  Some of these plans are regressive in that they will make no distinction between wealthy families and those who really need the help. Since wealthy students go to college at a higher rate, they will get most of the benefit.  Some of these plans will result in the federal government providing funds to higher education directly.  (Currently, the only real federal financial contribution to college funding is through financial aid, which goes to students not colleges.)  The former is a problem for what I hope are obvious reasons.  The second will, I believe, have two unintended consequences.  It will encourage states to continue their disinvestment in higher education, which is the root of the cost problem to begin with.  They'll continue to cut funding because "the feds will take care of it."  I also believe any kind of direct funding of higher education by the federal government means more top-down, one-size-fits-all federal regulation and that will, sooner or later, end up giving us No Child Left Behind: College Version.  And we know how well that worked out for K - 12.  By all means, let's help students who need the support, but let's be smart about how we do it and let's keep direct federal financing out of higher education.