Writing in yesterday’s Washington Post, education reporter Jay Mathews challenged the assertion that there are lots of eager and talented young Americans who can’t go to college because of financial hardship. Read his piece here.

The idea that America is denying a lot of poor kids who want to study biochemistry the chance to improve themselves is useful in mau-mauing taxpayers into increasing student-aid programs. How many students like that are there? Probably very close to zero.

As Mathews points out, there are no doubt some students “qualified” for college who can’t afford it. But poor kids who are just “qualified” are probably better off doing something else with their time and limited money than pursuing a BA degree.