Thomas Jefferson believed that democracy wouldn't work unless poor but worthy students had access to a quality education. At the Student Body Scholarship Association (SBSA) we couldn't agree more.

We realize how important a college education is not only to the student but for our nations the future as well. College is a necessity, not a luxury or an option. Census Bureau data points out a clear link between education level and finances. 

Both male and female college graduates earn significantly more than high school graduates, and it's been shown that income rises faster among people who have higher education. However, far too many students may never  realize their full potential simply because they lack the resources to further their education.

Social activities is also a big part of college life. Exploring a fraternity or sorority, supporting your schools athletic teams, eating at the campus, getting involved in other popular student activities and intertwining with people from different walks of life are crucial in becoming a well rounded adult. Going to college is as much about finding out who you really are as it is about getting that degree.

                              Can you afford to send your child or children to college?

As college attendance becomes the rule rather than the exception, the burden is not surprisingly heaviest on lower-income families.  

"Parents with incomes below $40,000 were much more likely to say they couldn't afford college compared to those with higher incomes. The unsettling aspect of this poll is that in all likelihood, these parents' perceptions mirror reality," says Tamara Draut, author of "Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead." 

"College costs have soared with the average tuition at a public four-year university, increasing more than 35 percent in the last five years and having more than doubled in the last two decades, after adjusting for inflation." 


Higher prices are hitting everyone hard, regardless of income level. Bankrate senior analyst Greg McBride points out that even though nearly half of parents can afford the costs, that number is an average calculated from what he calls a "heavy skew of the survey toward higher-income households." Only 28 percent of parents with household incomes less than $50,000 can afford college, but even among higher-income groups, only 65 percent of parents say they can afford their children's education.