Free Higher Education: Mistaking Equality and Equity

Abstract

Free higher education is seeing a revival of popularity globally at a time whenstudents and their families are asked to contribute ever more toward the cost of college.However, contrary to popular belief, free-tuition higher education is not necessarilyassociated with better access to, or equity within, tertiary education. This article takes acloser look at the realities behind “free” higher education, more specifically in itsrelationship with access.