Nguyen Tran Thuy DuongHigher education is too expensive. College costs are skyrocketing. With the growing cost of tuition many students have turned to working year round or never attending college at all. The college experience is both a benefit for the future as well as a stepping stone to becoming an adult. The ability to go to college has long been held as a high water mark of success, so much so that an undergraduate degree is nearly a predictor of professional success and income. Among other major life choices, the decision to get a higher degree has been seen as a total win-win. The world will be your oyster with a Bachelor's under your belt, so the logic has always been. The experience of a college education is something that should be obtainable for any young adult who has a desire to attend. However, this experience is becoming harder and harder to accomplish.Over the last ten years, college tuition has steadily risen. The cost of tuition at many colleges literally prices out many families who want to send their kids to college. If they do not receive grants or scholarships, these students are obligated to take out loans or give up on a higher degree. Either decision can limit a students professional or personal options in the future. Moreover, the associated expenses of obtaining a higher education are out of control. It is ridiculous students are expected to pay for expensive books which are hardly utilized, pay for dorm rooms which are often substandard. So many young adults start out with high student loans and end up getting jobs that won't pay the bills. Higher education is out of touch and often out of reach of those who need it most.We often look at college expenses exclusively from the perspective of the rising tuition bill facing students and their families; however, we need a much broader perspective on measuring how expensive college has become. Demand for a college education has increased partly because graduating college dramatically increases job prospects and partly because of government subsidies. Although many believe subsidies will make college more affordable, government subsidies actually contribute to rising costs. When we subsidize something, its cheaper for people to consume. So people consume more of it and demand rises. A rise in demand will mean a rise in costs. Colleges have no trouble filling seats, even with rising costs, so they keep spending and increasing tuition. Improvements to campus facilities and the addition of more administrative staff make college tuition even more expensive without necessarily improving the quality of education students receive. The cost for higher education is expensive. Hence planning is essential to ensure that adequate funds are at disposal when needed. Education today is the key to professional success and is treated as an investment by parents who are willing to run that extra mile to give their child the best possible education.Before you start your studies, you must ensure that you have the necessary funds in place for the duration of the program. Most funding sources have strict deadlines, often several months before your course formally begins.Provide as much personal funding as possible through any investments, savings or sponsorship you have access to, before approaching any external funding organizations. Much of the external support available will depend on the course you wish to apply for, your mode of study and your nationality or place of residence. There are only a limited number of scholarships available to part-time students who are in full-time employment. You will be expected to cover the living costs yourself, normally through employment. The truth is attending a university has never been more expensive. Acceptance standards for a university with average ratings have never been higher to reach. And let's be honest, what you learn in class may not prepare you properly for your dream job. However, you can avoid financial crisis while you are at a school/university and even post that, provided you plan and save for your education goal.