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CHARLOTTE -- Rising tuition costs are becoming more of a concern for high school students as they're met with the tough economy and less scholarship and financial aid money. But counselors and college advisers with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools say they're always meeting with students and parents and hosting informational sessions about financial aid to make the dream of higher education a reality.

"I'm extra excited to go out and be on my own and just see where life can take me,” said Adrian Smith, a senior at South Mecklenburg High School.

But college comes with a price tag.

"It's going to be very difficult for me to go because, right now, we're living day to day, pretty much. It's kind of tough to get necessities rather than $20,000, $16,000 whatever to go to college. So it'll be very difficult for me to keep going to the next level if I don't get financial aid," said Smith.
 
Increasing tuition prices and a tough economy are affecting everybody, not just lower income families.
 
"So they may have been in a position to help their student pay for college before, but now with the decrease in income, those middle class families are struggling just as much, if not more, than they have in the past helping their students get into, and pay for, that college education,” said Michelle Lair, Communities in Schools site coordinator for South Mecklenburg High School.
 
But higher tuition costs are being met with a shrinking pool of scholarships and financial aid.
 
"Tuition is up and the scholarship dollars and the grant dollars. We see programs, I hate to say daily, but we see programs getting cut that were there before. So it's definitely a strain and the increased cost in tuition is definitely a factor in that,” said Lair.
 
So college advisers such as Lair are recommending students and parents apply early and often to secure financial aid, so that money isn't the reason a student doesn't pursue higher education.
 
"I don't want to be that guy that's flipping burgers until I'm 45, and when I start my family and stuff as I grow up, I want to be able to take care of them,” said Smith.
 
On Thursday, South Meck will host a FAFSA night for students and parents, explaining how to complete these forms. Many other CMS high schools are hosting similar nights. To find out when your child's is being held, check with the school.