Baldo by Hector D. Cantú and Carlos Castellanos for February 09, 2015

Quit worrying about pequeña Sara like that, Gracie. You go save a college fund when you get your own kid(s).

Yeah, you better talk to your own parents about your college fund. You’re a lot older than Sara so you have less time to waste.

Save your money so you can get a degree in history or psychology, and serve burgers for minimum wage. In a rational world the government would not subsidize anything so useless. But then, if it were rational, private enterprise would be doing it.

It’s never “early.”

Of course Gracie.

Wow! That’s an amazing system! And they’re not loans? Anyone can go in the U.S. as long as they either pay out of pocket, earn scholarships or grants that don’t have to be repaid, or go into debt for the rest of their lives and go on loans.

Gracie, Sara’s biggest economic barrier is herself. If she’s got the determination and hard work ethic, she’ll get into college.

“The demand for a free good or service is infinite.” How does Sweden raise the money to pay for everybody’s college/university expenses?

JoPhan: The same as I experienced in Canada: the taxes are 20% higher, but the benefits are 40% better. You get the government you are willing to get others to help you get.

The state of New Mexico has a lottery funded scholarship program open to everyone. They can’t keep up with the demand and the state colleges are having to pick up the balance. There is a difference between economic incentive and a give away. Another feel good effort is sticking the taxpayers in the backside.

Another great strip.

I have no reason to believe my parents were saving for college when my sibs and I were this young, and yet they paid for nearly 100% (if not completely 100%) of the undergrad college/university education for five children. Yes, five. Dad was even willing to let me decline a full ride at one school so I could go to a school that we thought would be a better fit. I think the whole save for college when a kid is born thing is overkill.

If you could make the grades, you could go from kindergarten to PhD free in California. Then Reagan abolished the system. Also the rate of California professors getting the Nobel Prize as been dropping since, as has their benefit to society.