this is the one issue I never see proposed by the politicians trying to buy votes with free college. it should only be "free" provided you give back to society as prescribed by the education you receive. this might mean there is no free college for the profession you choose but so be it. we have it for teachers and there are other fields that would warrant investment as well.
Everyone studying could give back to society in some way. It doesn't really need to be related to the degree, honestly. I'd expect this to be paid work, though, because most folks can't just go without income for 1-3 years giving back to the community. This would simply wind up being civil service work for the most part.
Most folks can train as a CNA and do some sort of home health care, for example. Most folks have the ability to work in school kitchens, provide janitorial services for schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Many folks have the capacity to work in day care centers, as substitute teachers, bringing meals to the elderly, mowing lawns for folks that need it, different sorts of service for parks and other public places, and so on.
You can specialize this for some areas: Art degrees? Make beautiful areas. Theater? Free to the public plays. Language degrees? Help out at community centers or translate for folks that need it.
These things allow for necessary training - like plumbers, electricians, car mechanics, business managers, and so on - that aren't traditionally the "give back to the community" sorts of jobs, yet are pretty good to have. Including all sorts of schooling allows for a better educated, well-rounded society in general. As a bonus, the civil service will give folks a chance to be around people they might not otherwise meet.
We can do this before, during, or after college. Part time or full time.
I'd also exempt some folks. Doctors, nurses, teachers, and anyone else in such roles - the folks that by the nature of their jobs, give back to the community and are better off simply doing their jobs as soon as possible.
