College Borrowing rises to cover costs - Harriet Vaughan, THE TENNESSEAN

Stephanie Bellard Chase with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission says the increase in borrowing may be, in part, because of rising costs for student housing, books and other materials needed for school. Claude Pressnell, president of the independent schools association, agrees with Chase. "This recession obviously has been more severe than we have seen in the past. As a result, with the excessive loss of jobs, some families have found it more difficult to pay for college than in the past," said Pressnell.