Here's the way I see it. My solution to the affordable education is this;
Take it out of the graduates paycheck from their job after they graduate. To further explain;
First thing is first, raise the minimum wage to $10 and then every six months raise it $1 until you get to $15. Let small businesses go that duration without having to pay taxes. To counteract this lack of tax revenue, eliminate the tax loopholes for the wealthiest people. Do not raise their taxes but eliminate the loopholes. This should cover the loss of revenue you'd have from allowing small businesses to not pay taxes. On top of that, with the minimum wage going up, you'll receive more in taxes as wages will go up. Spend this money on rebuilding our infrastructure which creates a ton of jobs creating more tax revenue.
As for education, no college student pays while in college. With a large portion working minimum wage jobs from around 14-18 and then through college up until they start working internships, they would be able to save a lot of their money so they have a foundation upon graduating. As for tuition, their tuition is based on their performance in college. Let's say you go to St. John's and the tuition is $35,000 per year. That's $140,000. Divide that by 43 years (22 to 65) and you get $3,256 owed per year. That's $62 per week. BUT! Let's say you get a 4.0 GPA and partake in clubs and societies and what not, you will get 100% of your tuition covered. Let's say you get a 3.5, you get 60-75% paid for depending on how involved in the college you are (i.e. clubs and societies). If you get a 3.0 you get 25-50% depending on how involved you are. Beyond that you owe everything. Now you don't have people defaulting on their loans and ruining their credit, the colleges are still making money, kids aren't in crippling debt and could even donate more to their college. And obviously the burden is less for smaller schools like CUNY and SUNY schools. But this also doesn't discourage somebody from majoring in art or philosophy or whatever because we need those things and they shouldn't be discouraged. I actually think to make it better, the retirement age should be raised to 70 for anybody under the age of 30 (I'm 24 by the way).
I'm no politician nor will I ever be one so this idea is like saying the Mets should trade this player for that player, meaning my opinion wont' change anything. But this is why I have such an issue with conservatives and even liberals. This plan would achieve the liberal goals while providing a conservative solution. You aren't raising taxes, you're creating jobs, you're helping small businesses, and you're building the middle class. But, I'm no expert in anything so I'm sure, like every plan, there are holes. But I believe this is the direction we need to head on. Just my two cents.