Eric McCall is concerned that skyrocketing costs for higher education are going to stop a lot of young people from entering college. So he's going to vote for Democrat Bill Clinton.

University student Ray Harner is also worried that tuition will increase as the availability of loans and grants decreases. He will vote for President Bush.

Another student, Vonda Whetsel also supports Bush, but not because of education issues.

"I don't want to be taxed to death," said Whetsel (senior-nutrition).

In a political year marked by candidates who appear on MTV and in the pages of Rolling Stone, it is apparent that the 18-24 year-old vote is heavily being sought after.

Although young people have the worst voting record among the other age groups, they are still being sought because of the number of potential votes they represent, said Robert O'Connor, associate professor of political science.

"Your group votes less than other groups but that's still a good number of people," O'Connor said.

At one point, the twentysomethings backed the Democratic ticket by a 2-1 ratio -- making them the strongest support for Clinton, he added.

A poll conducted last week by The Daily Collegian showed that Penn State students at the University Park campus would elect Clinton by more than 17 percent over Bush.

Clinton received 47.1 percent, Bush garnered 29.5 percent and independent presidential candidate Ross Perot got 7.1 percent. About 15 percent were undecided and 1.5 percent said they would vote for other candidates.

Another college student poll --conducted in September by Spy magazine and tape manufacturer TDK -- had Clinton leading Bush 56 percent to 35 percent in presidential preference, with a margin of error plus or minus 3 percent.

And like the general public, students rate jobs, education and the deficit as top issues. Just 3 percent chose family values or morals as the issue they feel most strongly about. But 48 percent said they would be less likely to vote for a presidential candidate they learned had committed adultery.

The poll turned up low party affiliation -- 28 percent Democrat, 25 percent Republican -- and a high desire for change, especially among young women.

Change is what Denise McCarthy (senior-administration of justice) is looking for in a presidential candidate. McCarthy's main concerns are student aid and the right to have an abortion, and Clinton's her choice.

"He's not Bush," said McCarthy. "We need a change."

But another student, Michelle Martin (junior-health and human development), is concerned with the availability of jobs. Martin hasn't decided who she will vote for.

"There's not much of a choice this year," she said.

Jen Marsh and Tricia Giannini, however, think students do have a choice in this election.

Marsh, College Democrats president, said college students need to vote for Clinton because of his National Trust Fund, which will allow former students to pay off their loan either through a portion of their paycheck or by performing community service.

Giannini, College Republicans chairwoman, said Bush supports all Americans' interests.

"I think students should realize they're out looking for everyone," she said. "They shouldn't say, 'Well, I'm a college student, therefore I should vote for so and so.' The president's done a lot for students with educational aid and stuff like that. But that shouldn't be the sole reason why you should vote for a candidate."

But Marsh rebutted Giannini's remarks, saying: "But in order to enter the job market and have a competitive edge, you have to have an education."

Collegian Staff Writer Kelley Beal and The Associated Press contributed to this report.