For the 1975-76 school year, the average cost of tuition and fees at a public four-year university was $2,387. Since 1975, the cost of college tuition has increased approximately 394%, costing $9,410 during the 2015-16 school year (College Board, 2016). As college costs continue to rise, it becomes increasingly difficult for students and their families to afford the costs of education. According to a survey conducted by Edward Jones, a financial advisor, “83% of Americans say they cannot afford the expense of a college education for themselves or a family member” (Levaux, 2015). For this reason, the United States should implement a policy that allows all U.S. citizens to obtain a post-secondary education at public institutions free of charge, up to graduation. The policy proposed above is completely non-discriminatory. This means that, under this policy, all US citizens – regardless of socioeconomic status, race, age, etc. – will be entitled to free post-secondary education. In addition to free tuition, post-secondary students will also receive a financial allowance, based on the number of course hours taken, for textbooks and other school supplies. Some of these supplies may include, but are not limited to; calculators, laptops and parking passes. For example, a student who takes fifteen credit hours may receive between $1,000 and $1,500 for school-related expenses. To receive the benefits of a free education, students must meet certain guidelines each college semester. Students will be expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout their college career. If a student's GPA falls below 2.0, they will be placed on academic probation. Additionally, students will be expected to attend classes regularly, involving a lower percentage of individuals living in poverty and decreased crime rates. As with any government policy, there are both pros and cons to this proposed free post-secondary education policy. With a higher percentage of individuals earning a college degree, both poverty and the income gap will decrease for all races. In turn, criminal activity will be at an all-time low. However, the amount of tax increases needed to fund free college may be large and, therefore, not all individuals may have the financial means necessary to pay such tax increases. Many people argue that higher education is a human right, so it shouldn't be that difficult financially to earn a post-secondary degree. Therefore, this policy would be perfect to ensure that every individual in the United States has an equal opportunity to receive a higher education.