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Sen. Bernie Sanders Wants To Make College Tuition Free

WASHINGTON (CBS) -- Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders wants to eliminate college tuition.

Sanders said in a statement that he will introduce legislation Tuesday outlining plans to make tuition free at public four-year colleges and universities.

"We live in a highly competitive global economy and, if our economy is to be strong, we need the best-educated work force in the world," Sanders said. "That will not happen if, every year, hundreds of thousands of bright young people cannot afford to go to college, and if millions more leave school deeply in debt."

Sanders said his plan is similar to how European countries like Denmark, Sweden and Germany handle college costs.

He says the bill would also expand work-study programs, reduce college loan interest rates and lower student debt.

"I want a more educated work force," Sanders said. "I want everybody to be able to get a higher education regardless of their income."

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