On January 9, President Barack Obama traveled to Tennessee to announce a plan to provide two years of community college tuition-free for millions of US students. His choice of a location for the announcement was no accident: the state has offered free community college to all its residents since last fall. Last year, nearly 90% of the state's graduating high school seniors took advantage of the offer.

Obviously, tuition-free doesn't mean there is no cost to taxpayers; the president's plan is expected to cost about $6 billion per year. On the other hand, the federal government spends about $1.7 billion per year on maintenance costs for buildings it no longer uses. This suggests that politicians might not have such a hard time squeezing out $6 billion dollars in the federal budget, if they're willing to look closely enough.

Helping students earn associate's degrees and career certificates could provide a significant boost to the US economy. A 2013 report by the American Institutes for Research found that for an adult, an associate's degree, compared to a high school diploma, results in an average of $259,200 in additional lifetime earnings. Some degrees and career certificates increase earnings potential even more.

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In addition, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC technicians can expect to earn more than many four-year college graduates. If students choose to pursue advanced manufacturing certificates, not only could they put themselves on the path to better earnings, they might help to address the "skills gap" that many manufacturing employers say exists.

I'm a big proponent of community colleges, as I wrote in a 2012 Design News blog. I got my start at a community college. So did my oldest daughter, Adelyn, who is now studying biomedical engineering at a four-year university after earning her associate's degree. My youngest daughter, Kriscia, is attending our local community college now. My wife takes classes there, too.

Given the tremendous positive impact that community colleges have had on my family, I support anything that will help put this free community college opportunity within the reach of more families. That being said, I have a few reservations about the President's proposal.

I've always felt that one of the reasons I was successful in community college was that I paid for it myself. Although my daughters didn't have to pay for their own tuition, I have always expected them to pay for their own books. Having to invest at least some of their own money in their educations has helped to motivate them and get the most out of their classes. It's an unfortunate fact that people tend to undervalue things they receive for free.

Furthermore, federal Pell Grants already ensure free tuition and books for low-income community college students. Failing to require at least some token payment from students who are actually able to pay might encourage students to take their studies less seriously.