August signifies the return of school for children and young adults across the country. What should be a time of excitement for parents and returning students may actually be a stressful time for those with modest incomes adjusting to the increasing cost of quality education.
Commercials show happy parents out purchasing the latest computers, clothing, dorm fixtures and other so-called necessities for sending their children off to college. The ads attempt to persuade people to follow the college dream, oblivious to the potential financial burden. However, many students and parents don’t have a firm understanding of the cost of attending college, or the amount of debt they will incur.