YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Austintown high school senior, Dan Chepke, who asked Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney yesterday how his administration might help young people afford college may be surprised to find his exchange the subject of Facebook postings as well as an opinion piece in today’s edition of The New York Times.
Romney told Chepke, “The best thing I can do for you is to tell you to shop around and compare tuition, make sure you get your degree in four years or less, and work hard,” Romney said.
“College is expensive. … Just don’t go to the one with the highest price. Don’t take on too much debt,” he continued, and be sure to investigate possible scholarships. Don’t count on the federal government to pay your tuition unless you enlist in the military. “That’s a place where we’ll give you help," he said.
Chepke, interviewed by The Business Journal following Romney’s appearance Monday at the Brilex Taylor Winfield plant here, was respectful – but blunt – in his response to the presidential candidate’s advice.
“Basically he kind of just said suck it up or join the Army,” Chepke remarked, which “isn’t an awesome option. But I can see where he’s coming from. He doesn’t want to give out a lot of money,” he said. “He wants to try to cut back. That makes sense but I’d like to see a little bit more help with regard to student loans and stuff like Obama’s trying to do.”
CLICK HERE to read New York Times opinion piece.
SCROLL DOWN this Facebook page to see sampling of local opinion.
Pubished by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.