Should state universities offer free tuition to students from disadvantaged backgrounds?

Access to education remains a cornerstone of social mobility and poverty alleviation. Offering free tuition to students from disadvantaged backgrounds at state universities could eliminate barriers, enabling equal opportunities and empowering the next generation. Critics, however, argue that such programs could strain state budgets, leading to compromised quality or reduced capacity for other critical services. Should governments prioritize equity in education by adopting this measure, or would alternative approaches like scholarships and subsidized loans serve better?