As we begin to plan for our futures, the inevitable question we must face is how we will pay for college. Depending on the institution, tuition could cost nearly 60 thousand dollars a year. This has caused many to look towards the government for an answer, and many politicians have responded by offering free public university education, and the cancelation of college debts.

This may seem to many as an enormous opportunity. However, the federal government also has no way of paying for this massive program. In Senator Bernie Sanders’ proposed bill, free college tuition and the canceling of student debts would cost the country 2.2 trillion dollars over a 10 year period. This would balloon the deficit and the national debt, which is on course to surpass 23 trillion dollars. This enormous burden will only be passed on to our generation, and we will be forced to find a way to pay for it. This is an unsustainable model, and will only lead to economic collapse.

The only way to pay for such a program is in the unavoidable form of taxation. Those promising free college also promise not to raise taxes on the middle class, but the numbers prove this just isn’t possible. Your taxes will be increased and you will be forced to pay not only for your own education, but for that of every other person enrolled in “free” public universities. More of your hard earned money will be confiscated by the federal government for a program that you were promised would be free.

The cancelation of student debts will also rob students of an opportunity to learn responsibility and budgeting. Students will be shown that they can take out a student loan for any amount, only to not be obligated to pay it back. At no other point in life will debts simply be forgiven, so students will be woefully underprepared for the real world when applying for a mortgage or a vehicle loan. Additionally, think of the millions who have already paid off their student loans in the past. Will they be refunded for their payments?

No. This sort of policy is not only irresponsible, but it’s unfair to everyone else who has received and worked to pay off a student loan.

We have all heard the saying that “nothing is ever free,” and this is no exception. What is being promised by politicians running for office is a blatant lie, and they shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it.

Behind the mask of tuition-free college is the taxpayer paying for it… you.