@Walter Hinteler,
In the United States, under the provisions of the
National Defense Education Act, students could take out loans that were interest-free for them while they were in school (the government paid the interest), and which were interest-free for any time in which they served in the armed forces. This Eisenhower era act was one of several initiatives of President Eisenhower to fund education at all levels. Although his goal was to enhance science education, there was no restriction on those using the funding to pursue any particular curriculum.
These were commonly known as National Defense loans. At the time I availed myself of the program, the interest rate was 6%. Having gone from university pretty well directly into the army, the government paid the interest (to my hometown bank) until my separation from the service. Under the provisions of the act, I would have been liable for one half the interest for six years, with the government picking up the tab for the rest, and liable for the full interest due thereafter. My hometown bank never charged me a penny of interest, accepting the interest payments from the government, and forgiving the interest that would have accrued to my account.
The two universities which I attended accepted the direct assignment of a portion of the loans for tuition and fees. In the late 19602, that meant I was only responsible for the text book rental fees, about $15 a semester. Of course, I had to house and clothe and feed myself, which I would have been obliged to do whether or not I attended university. Many people in my generation were able to use the educational program for veterans known commonly as the "G.I. Bill" to cover those costs. It certainly wasn't generous, but it was enough to live on.
That program virtually guaranteed access to a university education to anyone who qualified academically, without regard to skin color, "race" or gender. It helped to educate millions of Americans, at a cost of about a paltry one billion dollars in interest payments to local banks. It was money well-spent. I thought Sanders was nuts to call for free university education, and frankly considered it to be a cynical political promise--one which Republican intransigence would have assured he was never obliged to keep.
But a modest program such as that, at little cost to taxpayers repaid an enormous dividend. There is no reason that something like that would not continue to educate people, and benefit the nation.
