A lack of options and a feeling of helplessness define the outlook some Penn State students have toward paying for college.

While tuition rates continue to rise, some students often feel forced to accept the higher rates. Students also complain about a student aid system that is confusing and difficult to use.

Francis D'Aurora (junior-architectural engineering) is paying for college on his own. He said he is often amazed at how high his expenses can be.

"It is difficult because you don't really realize how expensive it is until you write your first check," he said. "Paying for college is hard, but we really don't have a choice and have to bite the bullet."

Carl Yeaney (junior-criminal justice) said because students generally have little time for work, high tuition costs can often be unrealistic to pay on their own.

He said Sen. John Kerry's proposed plan for a full federal scholarship to a state university for those who volunteer for the state for more than two years was interesting, but wondered about its feasibility.

"It depends on the type of volunteering," Yeaney said. "I don't think college should be free. It obviously puts a big burden on the U.S. government. Some volunteering doesn't produce much revenue. A lot of this falls on our parents unless you have a scholarship. We don't have time to work when taking classes all day."

Some students said that trying to get financial aid is such a difficult process that it can appear overbearing.

"It is too complicated a process. You shouldn't have to fill out so many forms, and with all of the resubmissions it is too much," Ryan Colvin (junior-finance) said.

He said he likes both Kerry's plan for a federal college scholarship for students who work as volunteers for two years and his plan for the simplification of the federal aid application.

"When it all comes down to it, you have to pay for college and go through the long process of getting aid or you won't get your education," Colvin said. "It is too expensive; we should have more help from the government. $30,000 a year is just way too much for college."

Some students worry about the financial burden college loans will place on them once they graduate from college.

"Because the job market is uncertain, a good paying job might not be available once we get out of college and have to pay off the loans," Yeaney said.

Students agree, however, that their options are limited. "When it all comes down to it, you have to pay for college and go through the long process of getting aid or you won't get your education," Colvin said.

D'Aurora said despite the difficulties associated with paying for college, he will continue to borrow money. "I don't have a choice," he said.