Returning to or beginning college can be an exciting time for students.

It's a time for resuming old acquaintances and/or making new friends.

It's a time for embarking on another phase of life's journey.

It's always a time of questioning.

But this time many students in Illinois are facing even greater uncertainty than what their major should be.

They are wondering whether their financial assistance from the state will be cut off as of spring semester and whether they will have to drop out of college.

They are wondering not just about whether they will get their "dream job" after graduation but any job with a high enough salary to pay off their student loans.

The value of a college degree should not be overlooked when making those calculations.

The average earnings of adults 18 and over with a bachelor's degree was $51,554 in 2004, compared to $28,645 for those with only a high school diploma, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

But knowing the value of a degree in the long run doesn't help solve the problem of how to pay for it in the short run.

Complicating the equation in Illinois is the uncertain state budget. The governor and Legislature have only provided enough money to pay for the Monetary Award Program grants for college students for fall semester.

That leaves students - and universities - wondering what will happen this spring.

Even when the state was "fully" funding MAP grants, the money did not meet all of students' needs.

Of 3,000 students receiving MAP grants at Illinois State University last fall, the $12.5 million awarded did not meet the financial needs of about half those students, according to ISU spokesman Jay Groves. The university kicked in about $5.2 million to assist them.

A similar amount will be needed even if the Legislature boosts the state's budget. And if the state doesn't devote more money to MAP grants for spring? Groves said the university is looking for ways to provide further assistance - "We don't want to lose these students" - and urging them to talk to counselors in the financial aid center.

That's good advice for all students, regardless of what universities or colleges they are attending.

If you are having trouble paying to further your education, don't give up. Seek advice from counselors at your college or university. There could be options available about which you might not be aware - from short-term loans to student-work jobs to privately sponsored scholarships.