1. Obama to clamp down on federal student loan servicers

It’s an idea that probably polled well — free community college. But support for President Barack Obama’s plan, which was outlined in his State of the Union speech last month, has always been soft, and it’s losing more and more ground.

And for good reason. Beyond the simple economic principle, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” the plan would specifically send aid to those who don’t need the help.

What’s more, it will do little to address the real problem of student loan debt — the cost of college.

The president’s plan is simple.

“America’s College Promise will make two years of community college free to responsible students who are willing to work for it,” he said. “Now, I want to underscore that last clause — everybody who’s working hard for it. There are no free rides in America. You would have to earn it. Students would have to do their part by keeping their grades up. Colleges would have to do their part by offering high-quality academics and helping students actually graduate.”

Of course, earning something isn’t the same thing as paying for something. At the end of the day, someone’s going to have to foot the bill for those “free” years of community college.

But here’s an even bigger problem. The plan would divert massive amounts of federal student aid from students who need it to those who don’t.

Right now, students who need help with college costs get it — through the need-based Pell Grant program.

“The maximum amount of a Pell Grant award today is just under $6,000 a year,” the Washington Post explains. “Average community college tuition is approximately $4,000, not including the cost of additional fees, books, transportation, food, child care (if applicable) and other expenditures. The president’s proposed ‘America’s College Promise’ is of no added value to our least privileged students. They are already eligible for free tuition at community colleges via the current Pell Grant program. Thus the president’s plan would primarily subsidize the community college tuition of more well-off students.”

College students have a term for the financial assistance they receive over and above what they need for tuition, books and fees. They call it “beer money.”

But back to the Post’s analysis.

“Why design a funding system that explicitly subsidizes one segment of higher education at the expense of another?” the Post asks. “Instead of a paternalistic proposal, we need a college access plan that allows students to choose the institution that best meets their needs and goals. An even greater investment in the Pell Grant program, from increased funding to account for increasing levels of wealth and income inequality and expanded eligibility, would provide all students with better access to community colleges and better access to nonprofit four-year colleges as well.”

Of course, sending more federal money to institutions of higher education isn’t going to help bring costs down — which is what students really need.

But until larger reforms are made, at least we can do this.

Let’s help the students who truly need it.