Monthly Archives: October 2016

Young Leaders’ Program (YLP) for Master’s Students in Japan, 2017-2018

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Deadline:  Varies from country to country
Open to: nationals of countries eligible for the YLP
Grant monthly with 242,000 yen; Traveling; Transportation to/from Japan, School Fees, Accommodation

Description

Applications are open for Young Leaders’ Program (YLP) for 2017-2018 academic year. These scholarships are available for international students to pursue master’s program in the field of Public Administration/Public Policy, Local Governance, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration and Law from October 2017 in Japan.

The Young Leaders’ Program (YLP) aims to contribute to the fostering of future national leaders in Asian and other countries. In addition, while deepening the participants’ understanding about Japan, it should help form a network among national leaders, contributing to the establishment of friendly relationships and improved policy planning activities among Asian and other countries, including Japan.

Launched in 2001 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of the Government of Japan, the Young Leaders’ Program (YLP) is a yearlong academic scholarship program that aims to prepare and empower young professionals from all over the world for future leadership roles in their respective fields.

Eligibility

  • Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of countries eligible for the YLP.
  • Age: Applicants must be, in principle, under 40 years of age, as on 2nd October, 2017 (i.e. born on or after 2 October 1976).
  • Academic Background: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized/accredited university or college, and have achieved shown excellent academic performance.
  • Work Experience: At least 3 years of full-time work experience in public administration (preferably 5 years or more).
  • English Proficiency: A minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 79 (TOEFL-PBT score of 550), IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
  • Health: Applicants must be in good health.
  • Visa Requirement: In principle, selected applicants must acquire “College Student” (ryuugaku) visas before entering Japan. The visas should be issued at the Japanese legation, located in the country of applicants’ nationality.  Applicants who change their resident status to any status other than “College Student” after their arrival in Japan will immediately lose their status as a Japanese government scholarship student.
  • Applicants who meet any or all of following conditions are not eligible. If identified after acceptance of the scholarship grantees, the applicants will be required to withdraw from the scholarship:
    [1] If an applicant is a service member or a civilian employee registered on the active military list at the time of his/her arrival in Japan;
    [2] Those who cannot arrive in Japan during the period designated by accepting university;
    [3] If an applicant is, in principle, currently enrolled in a Japanese university or other type of school with the resident status of “College Student,” or will be enrolled in a Japanese university, etc. as another source or self-financed international student between the time of application for this scholarship in his/her country and the time the scholarship period is due to begin; or
    [4] Those who will lose their status as public administrators or government officials following the time of application or before completion of the program.

Nationality: 

YLP in Government: P. R. China, Rep. of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Hungary, Czech, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey. (29 Countries)

YLP in Local Governance: P. R. China, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Czech, Poland, Romania (20 Countries)

YLP in Healthcare Administration: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Poland, Romania, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam (15 countries in alphabetical order)

YLP in Business Administration: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
P. R. China, Rep. of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam (15 countries)

YLP in Law Course: P. R. China, Rep. of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Mongolia, Singapore, India, South Africa, Turkey and Bhutan (16 Countries)

Scholarship Award

  • Allowance: Each grantee will be provided monthly with 242,000 yen during the term of the scholarship. However, the amount of allowance will be subject to change depending upon the annual budget of the Japanese government for each fiscal year. The scholarship will not be paid to a grantee who takes a leave of absence or is long absent from the assigned university.
  • Traveling Costs:
    1) Transportation to Japan: Each grantee will be supplied in general, accounting to his/her itinerary and route as designated by MEXT, with an economy-class airplane ticket from the international airport nearest to his/her home address* to Narita or Haneda International Airport. Expenses such as domestic transportation from his/her home address to the international airport, airport tax, airport usage fees, special taxes on travel, or inland transportation within Japan will NOT be supplied.
    2) Transportation from Japan: The grantee who returns to his/her home country within the fixed period after the expiration of his/her scholarship will be supplied, in general, upon application, with an economy-class airplane ticket for the travel from Narita or Haneda International Airport to the international airport nearest to his/her home address.
  • School Fees: Fees for matriculation and tuition will be paid by the Japanese government.
  • Accommodations:
    1) In principle, grantees may reside at residence halls provided by GRIPS.
    2) Private Boarding Houses or Apartment Houses: Those who cannot accommodate in the facilities described above will be arranged at private boarding houses or apartments recommended by the GRIPS Student Office.

Application

All YLP applications must be made through the specific recommending authorities for each course. Applicants must submit the following documents to their recommending authorities by the designated date. Documents submitted will not be returned.

  • Application for Admission
  • Photographs
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
  • Recommendation Letter from the recommending authority
  • Recommendation Letter from the applicant’s direct superior at work
  • Recommendation Letter from the applicant’s superior at work, or supervising professor of the university
  • Certificate of Health
  • Official degree certificates or certified copies of diplomas from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
  • Essay explaining applicant’s aspirations and future plans following program  completion
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Family Register
  • Copy of the Passport
  • English Proficiency Certificate
  • Answer to the Essay Questions

Application Deadline: The deadline of the applications differs according to the country. Please contact with Japanese embassy or consulate general in your country.

The official web-page.

 

Bosch Fellow – Fully Funded Professional Development in Germany

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Bosch FellowsBosch Fellow – Fully Funded Professional Development in Germany
Date PostedOctober 12, 2016
IndustryGovernment
LocationGermany, Europe
Job StatusFull-time
Salary$30,000 to $35,000
Websitehttp://www.culturalvistas.org/bosch

Description:
The Robert Bosch Foundation and Cultural Vistas invite US professionals to apply for the 2017-2018 Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program. Bosch Fellows act as consultants in their field of expertise at leading public or private institutions in Germany. In addition, Bosch Fellows participate in professional seminars, where they travel to meet and exchange ideas with key figures across Germany and Europe. Fellows are from the fields of public policy and administration, foreign and security policy, urban and regional planning, business, journalism and communications, law, or cultural and arts management (ex. museum, theater, orchestra).

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

-High-level professional experience in German institutions including the federal government, private corporations, print and broadcast media, law firms and NGOs.

-Travel, seminars and networking events throughout Europe — fellows meet with key decision-makers in the public and private sectors, gaining an in-depth understanding of current issues facing the European Union and Germany.

-3,200 – 3,700 EUR monthly stipend and compensation package including health insurance and coverage of transatlantic and program-related travel costs; exact amount of stipend is dependent upon marital status.

-Intensive German language training provided as needed in the US and Germany. No German language skills required at time of application.

-Professional networking opportunities with over 540 Robert Bosch Fellowship Alumni.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates for the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program must meet the following requirements:

-U.S. citizen

-40 years of age or younger at the application deadline

-Minimum 5 years of relevant, full-time work experience in target fellowship field (excluding internships)

-Graduate degree preferred

-Evidence of outstanding professional performance

-Sincere commitment to furthering the transatlantic relationship

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1

For further information and to access the online application, please visit our website: www.culturalvistas.org/bosch.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Completed online application including:

-Short essay questions

-Resume

-Most recent university transcript

-2 letters of recommendation. Recommenders should be recent supervisors or professional mentors who have worked closely with the applicant.
For more information about the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program or application process please contact:

Cultural Vistas

Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program

440 Park Avenue South, 2nd Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel. (212) 497-3527

Fax. (212) 497-3586

Email. bosch@culturalvistas.org

Web. www.culturalvistas.org/bosch

Apply Now

2017 Global Eco-Leaders Camp in South Korea

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Deadline: 12 November  2016
Opent to:  Eco-generation age 13 and above
Cost: fully- funded sponsored by Samsung Engineering

Description

Eco-generation of Samsung Engineering would like to offer opportunities to the young students to participate in the 2017 Global Eco-Leaders Camp which will be held in Seoul, South Korea by sponsoring the respective winners around the world to explore the environmental awareness activities.

Winners will be given the opportunities to participate in the 2017 Global Eco-Leaders Camp which program includes specialist lecture, laboratory demonstrations and experiments, hands-on project, presentation competition and a variety of other activities in order to advance their awareness on the role and commitment to energy efficiency, energy conservation, and mitigating energy-related impacts on the environment. The trip to the 2017 Global Eco-Leader Camp will be in February, 2017 for 6 days and be fully sponsored by Samsung Engineering.

Eligibility

  • Participants: Eco-generation members around the world aged between 13 and 16;
  • Facilitator: Eco-generation member aged 18 or older.

Participants:

  • Facilitator: One shall represent the country they’re from during the Camp;
  • One shall actively join the programs and group projects;
  • One shall follow the instructions of the facilitator and staffs of the Summit for safety;
  • One shall post the experiences in the GYELS after returning back to their country within 3 weeks;
  • Planning / Organizing / Executing the 2017 Global Eco-Leaders Program in close cooperation with Eco-generation team;
  • Coaching and Mentoring for the participants of 2017 Global Eco-Leaders Camp;
  • One shall post the experiences in the Global Eco-Leaders Camp after returning back to their country within 3 weeks.

Costs

The trip to the 2017 Global Eco-Leader Camp will be in February, 2017 for 6 days and be fully sponsored by Samsung Engineering.

Application

Global:

  • Visit Eco-generation website to check the selection details;
  • Write an essay on “How can we motivate people to conserve energy?” in the Content column of the application form. (600 -800 words);
  • Attach your CV in the attachment column;
  • Press Submit button on the bottom;
  • To confirm your application, please log in first. 

Thailand:

  • Visit Eco-generation website for more details: Thailand : Home>E-gen Event>Monthly Event>No. 91;

For more information please Visit Official Page

Call for Applications | Harvard Conference – HPAIR 2017

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Deadline:  January 7th, 2017 | 11:59 PM EDT
Open to: Current undergraduate and graduate students. Recent college graduates (within the past 5 years)
Venue: 17– 20 February 2017, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Description

The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) is a student-run organization of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences. HPAIR organizes Harvard University’s largest annual student conferences in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 1991, we have continuously gathered a growing pool of international students from top universities, renowned academics, business professionals, and political leaders to engage in our rigorous educational events.

Our programs intend to achieve three goals:

  • Provide a dynamic forum of exchange on international issues vital to Asia
  • Foster long-term relationships among young leaders from around the globe
  • Connect talented delegates with some of today’s leaders in academia, business and government.

Today, HPAIR has significantly expanded to offer two annual conferences. Through plenary sessions, panels, keynotes, workshops, and case studies, the conferences provide valuable opportunities for discussion about challenges and trends in the international landscape. Continuing its tradition of academic excellence, the HPAIR Harvard Conference seeks to create a rigorous forum for dialogue and exchange.

The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) will take place  on February 17-20 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Eligibility

  • Current undergraduate and graduate students. Recent college graduates (within the past 5 years) may also apply to HPAIR conferences!

Costs

You will have to pay your registration fee when filling out the online registration form for the conference. Because HPAIR uses PayPal, delegates will need to use a debit or credit card. Your online registration is NOT complete until you have successfully submitted both your online registration form and your registration payment. Alternative methods of payment are also available on a case by case basis.

Registration fees for  the 2017 Harvard Conference:

  • Early Registration = $375
  • Regular Registration = $400
  • Late Registration = $450

During the HPAIR conference, there will be coffee breaks throughout the conference where refreshments will be provided. HPAIR will also provide breakfast and catered lunches throughout the conference.

HPAIR is not responsible for transportation to and from the conference. Delegates have the choice of taking the T (the subway) or a bus/taxi to their hotel and the venue. More detailed information will be sent to accepted delegates in the Delegate Guide.

There is financial aid available for the 2017 Harvard Conference.

To clarify, the financial aid application is separate from the general application. You need to apply to both to receive financial aid! You will only be considered for financial aid if you submit both your application and your financial aid application by the regular round deadline – that is, before December 10th, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST.

Please be prepared to answer an essay question of up to 650 words, write a short answer of up to 250 words, participate in a Skype interview, and provide financial statements about parental and personal yearly incomes.

Application

Having attended previous conferences does not by itself influence your chances of acceptance. However, if you were accepted for a previous conference, this means we were sufficiently impressed by your essays, resume and credentials in a previous application cycle. As such, you will have a fair chance of being accepted again this year provided your application demonstrates the same strength relative to the rest of our applicant pool. Early round applicants will be notified in late November, regular round applicants will be notified in early January, and late round applicants will be notified in late January.

In order to apply, register HERE.

If you have any questions, check the FAQ section or write to:  help@hpair.org.

The official web-page.

Nancy Foster Scholarship Program for US Citizens

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The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for master’s and doctoral studies in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, and all other science, engineering, social science, and resource management disciplines involving ocean and coastal areas, and particularly encourages women and members of minority groups to apply.

Individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or citizens of U.S. territories, and are applying to or have been accepted to a graduate program at a U.S. accredited institution, may apply. Prospective scholars do not need to be enrolled in a graduate program at the time of application, but must be admitted to a graduate level program in order to be awarded this scholarship. Scholarship selections are based on academic excellence, letters of recommendations, research and career goals, and financial need. Applicants must have a cumulative 3.3 grade point average to be eligible to apply and maintain a minimum cumulative and term grade point average of 3.3 for every term and for the duration of their award. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships may provide, subject to appropriations, yearly support of up to $42,000 per student (a 12-month stipend of $30,000 in addition to an education allowance of up to $12,000) and up to $10,000 of support for a 4-6 week program collaboration at a NOAA facility. Completion of one (1) program collaboration is required for every doctoral scholarship award, with a second recommended, but not required. For master’s degree level scholars, completion of a program collaboration is strongly recommended, but is not required. The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship funds cannot be used toward research costs. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recipients will be required to participate in a mandatory NOAA Orientation Training to meet with the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries staff at a date and location to be determined in the summer of 2017. If scholarships have not been awarded before this training, recipients may be required to incur pre-award costs that will be reimbursed after award funds have been issued. As a recipient of the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, you become a recognized member of the NOAA community. NOAA provides significant financial resources to help you pursue your independent graduate studies, as well as the staff expertise to assist you with your research along the way. All Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recipients must put together an outreach product (e.g., video, infographic) that communicates their scientific research in a way that the average viewer can understand it and its importance. Appropriate training in the creation of outreach products will be provided to all scholarship recipients. The program collaboration opportunity is designed to allow scholars to participate in research or other activities for four to six weeks at a field office of the National Marine Sanctuary System, or other NOAA program offices. Federal support for the program collaboration may be used toward allowable costs such as: travel to and from the NOAA facility, housing, per diem, laboratory costs, research vessel support, and consumables while conducting research at the NOAA facility. Scholars are required to provide their own health insurance coverage during the program collaboration. More details on allowable costs can be found in 2 CFR part 200, Subpart E – Cost Principles. If scholars choose to participate in a program collaboration during a specific year, they must notify the Program Officer by December of the academic year in which they intend to participate in the collaboration. Approval from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is required prior to embarking on the program collaboration. Additional information about the scholarship can be obtained in the full announcement text of the Federal Funding Opportunity – http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=289616

The Public Policy & International Affairs Program (PPIA) is now accepting applications for the 2017 PPIA Fellowship!

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screen-shot-2016-10-26-at-12-45-50-amAbout the Fellowship

The PPIA program prepares undergraduates

to be competitive  candidates for top degree programs in the fields of public policy, public administration or international affairs through participation in a Junior Summer Institute (JSI).

JSI is an intensive, 7-week, academic program during the summer at one of these host campuses:

  • The Ford School – University of Michigan
  • The Goldman School – UC Berkeley
  • Heinz College – Carnegie Mellon University
  • Humphrey School of Public Affairs – University of Minnesota
  • Woodrow Wilson School – Princeton University

Eligible candidates are current undergrads who will be completing their B.A. between December 2017 and August 2018. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2016.

Apply Today >>

Benefits of Participation

  • Full tuition at a PPIA Junior Summer Institute.
  • Eligibility to receive assistance with travel expenses.
  • A stipend of up to $1,500 (funding determined by each JSI).
  • University housing with a meal plan.
  • Books and related course materials at your JSI.
  • Each JSI may offer additional benefits, such as GRE preparation, at their discretion. Please check with each JSI about any additional benefits.
  • Minimum of a one-time $5,000 scholarship at a PPIA graduate school if admitted for a Master’s degree or select PhD programs. PPIA Fellows often receive financial offers above and beyond this minimum from their graduate program.
  • Fee waiver when applying to programs that are members of the PPIA Graduate School Consortium.

The Alwork Memorial Fund Foundation awards (60) $20,000 scholarships to MN, USA

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The Alwork Memorial Fund Foundation awards (60) $20,000 scholarships each spring to Northeastern and Central Minnesota high school seniors who plan to major in mathematics or science based fields of study. The list of counties that are eligible and the scholarship criteria may be found on our website  www.alworthscholarship.orgfrontpage_ns

Global Arts Management Fellowship – DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland

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Deadline: 1 December 2016
Open to: applicants who have a minimum of five years working experience in an administrative capacity in an arts or cultural organization
Fellowship: Air and ground transportation between Washington, D.C. and their country of residence, Lodging during the Fellowship, Per diem to cover living expenses during the Fellowship, Visa sponsorship (for international applicants) and Program materials

Description

The DeVos Institute’s Fellowship program is offered free of charge to arts managers from across the United States and around the world who are selected through a competitive application process. These fellows attend a four-week program in residence at the University of Maryland each spring for three consecutive years.

Fellowships include:

  • Intensive academic training in nonprofit management, finance, planning, fundraising, evaluation, and marketing
  • Access to leaders of cultural institutions from throughout the United States, including site visits to select institutions
  • Intensive, collaborative group work
  • Ongoing personalized mentoring, both during and between the month-long residencies

The fellowship will accept a new class each year beginning in 2016. First-year, second-year, and third-year fellows attend residencies together and engage in activities tailored to their year in the program.

Fellows have served in senior positions at such organizations as the AFCA Foundation for Arts and Culture (Egypt), American Conservatory Theater (San Francisco), Bosnian National Theatre Zenica, Ciudad Cultural Konex (Argentina), Cultural Center of the Philippines, Dance UK, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Ivan Honchar Museum & National Center of Folk Culture (Ukraine), Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (New York), Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Mexican Center for Music and Sonic Arts, Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra (Russia), Nashville Children’s Theatre, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, National Centre for the Performing Arts (China), Queensland Performing Arts Centre (Australia), Singapore Repertory Theatre, and Vancouver International Film Festival (Canada).

Eligibility

  • Have a minimum of five years working experience in an administrative capacity in an arts or cultural organization
  • Currently serve as the executive director (or equivalent) or the head of a major department within an arts or cultural organization
  • Have an excellent command of business English, orally and written
  • Be able to commit to the full term of the Fellowship (Washington D.C. residency dates are June 26 – July 21, 2017; June 25 – July 20, 2018; and July 1 – July 26, 2019. Fellows receive personalized mentoring and participate in virtual activities in between residencies.)

Fellowship

  • Air and ground transportation between Washington, D.C. and their state or country of residence
  • Lodging during the Fellowship
  • Per diem to cover living expenses during the Fellowship
  • Visa sponsorship (for international applicants)
  • Program materials

Application

  • The application must be completed and submitted online in one session.
  • A downloadable Fellowship Application Essay Worksheet has been provided for you gather the necessary materials and prepare your responses in advance of completing the online application.
  • You will have the opportunity to download a copy of your application for your records prior to submitting.
  • All materials must be uploaded to the application.
  • Letters of recommendation are not required. A letter of support from your current supervisor or board chair is requested and described in the application worksheet.
Timeline
  • The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, December 1, 2016, 12:00 PM Washington, D.C. Eastern Standard Time.
  • Select candidates will be contacted via email for a phone interview between January and April 2017.
  • Application decisions will be made in April and May 2017.

 

In order to apply, register HERE.

If you have any questions, check the FAQ section or write to:  fellowships@devosinstitute.net.

The official web-page.

Stanford Will Now Be Free To All Students From Families That Earn Less Than $125,000 Per Year

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by

Bryce Covert

Economic Policy Editor at ThinkProgress. Contact me:bcovert@thinkprogress.org

Stanford graduate students CREDIT: AP/PAUL SAKUMA

Last week, Stanford University announced that more accepted students won’t have to pay anything for tuition, which normally runs nearly $46,000a year.

Students whose families make less than $125,000 a year and have assets worth $300,000 or less, including home equity but excluding anything that they have saved in retirement accounts, won’t have to pay tuition. Students whose families make less than $65,000 also won’t have to pay for room and board, which can run about another $14,100. Scholarships or grants will cover the costs instead, and the school has a $21 billion endowment. The thresholds were previously $100,000 for free tuition and $60,000 for free room and board.

Students will still have to contribute at least $5,000 a year from part-time work during the school year, working during the summer, and/or savings.

“Our highest priority is that Stanford remain affordable and accessible to the most talented students, regardless of their financial circumstances,” said Provost John Etchemendy in a press release. “Our generous financial aid program accomplishes that, and these enhancements will help even more families, including those in the middle class, afford Stanford without going into debt.” The school says that 77 percent of undergraduates leave without student debt.

That makes Stanford graduates somewhat unique, as about 70 percentgraduate with debt, owing an average of $29,000 at the end of last year. Student loan debt has tripled over the last decade. Meanwhile, nearly a third of those who have started to pay back the loans are more than three months behind on payments.

But Stanford isn’t the only place offering free tuition. Princeton offers free tuition to parents who make less than $120,000 and free room and board to those who make under $60,000. Harvard and Yale make tuition free for families who make less than $65,000, while Harvard asks those who make between that level and $150,000 to contribute between 0 and 10 percent of their income.

The idea has also cropped up outside of elite private schools and gone even further. Harper College in Palatine, Illinois recently announced that it will offer two years of community college free for high school graduates who maintain high grades, attendance levels, and community service engagement for four years.

Governments have also gotten in on the action. Tennessee has alreadystarted a program that gives all of the state’s high school graduates free tuition at a two-year community college. Chicago also launched a program to give high school graduates with a 3.0 GPA free tuition, books, and fees for community college. And in January, President Obama proposed a plan that would cover tuition costs for all high school graduates who enroll full-time or half-time in community colleges with occupational training or credit toward a four-year degree and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

All of those programs would be moot, however, if the government took a simple step and made all public universities free. Tuition at all public colleges came to $62.6 billion in 2012. The federal government could take the $69 billion it currently spends helping students cover the cost of college through grants, tax breaks, and work-study funds and instead simply cover tuition at those schools for anyone who wanted to attend. That would give all students of all income backgrounds an affordable option, and it could also put pressure on private schools like Stanford and Harvard to reduce their tuition to compete, which has risen 13 percent over the last five years.