Financial aid can give people the opportunity to pursue a meaningful education. Make sure to leave no stone unturned. Check under every nook to see if there may be more financial aid available, whether it may be federal or privately funded, there's always a way to fund your education. A little extra effort can go a long way. The years leading up to college are stressful, and that’s an understatement. Everyone's wondering where they're going to go, what they're going to do, and especially how they’re going to pay for it. Americans owe over $1.3 trillion in student loan debt. Just within the past year, the price of college was increased by 6%, and that number is quick on the rise. With the tight economy we face today, college decisions are often made on money available from the schools with scholarships, not on the student's love for the school. Students are passing up the education of their dreams just because of the overall cost. Should a student's education be compromised because of the overpriced cost of education? Financial aid can be funded at the federal or state level, or schools, and individual organizations. Your choices aren't limited when it comes to aid opportunities, there are endless options. It’s important to know the different types of help you can receive.