Wednesday, November 19, 2008 --- 9:17 p.m.

Leaving home and going off to college used to be an exciting time in a teen's life.

But more and more, students have to put aside that excitement to worry about the cost of attending college.

A few months ago, if you asked Kendra Bechtol where she was going to college she would've told you the University of Miami.

"I was real interested in going there but the prices kind of lead me more towards Whitewater."

Even though she's staying closer to home to save money Bechtol is still worried about how she's going to pay for her education.

Bechtol says, " It's kind of scary thinking about the money aspect of it. I worry a lot about scholarships. Am I going to be able to get a lot of money in scholarships? Am I not going to get a lot of money in scholarships? If I don't how am I going to pay for it."

At state schools like UW-Whitewater and private schools like Edgewood College in Madison the number of students asking about financial aid is going up.

Kari Gribble is the Director of Financial Aid at Edgewood and she says, " There is a lot of uncertainty out there and we're aware of that and we wanted to reassure families that our number one goal at the financial aid office is to help families afford an education."

Gribble says she and her staff at Edgewood think students may feel they're $20,000 a year price tag is too high and could turn to a more inexpensive state school.

"Our message to students is we realize we're more expensive than a public college but we think we're worth it and here is why."

Gribble says the best thing students can do once they're enrolled is keep their financial aid office informed of any changes in their situation.

She says even though the economy is in a state of flux most grants and loans through the government are available.