The cost of higher education is growing and growing. Many students, parents, and educators feel that it has gotten to the point of being ridiculous. What can families do these days to manage the costs? This article contains some helpful advice.

With tuition rates rising at almost double the rate of inflation last year, the prospect of paying for four years at a university can be the source of many a family nightmare, worse than that recurring dream about the class you registered for but never showed up.

But not all of the news is bad. An abundance of advance tuition purchase programs, grants, scholarships and other aid can help ease the financial pain associated with higher education.

"File applications for student aid early," said Lori Vedder, director of financial aid at University of Michigan-Flint. "And don't not file because you assume you make too much."

federal grants, scholarships and other nonloan forms of aid will be considered first by the college after a student submits a financial aid form, Vedder said. There are federal Pell grants, institutional grants and state grants awarded to students based on many factors, from financial need to academic achievement.

What have you done--or what do you plan to do--to handle the cost of a college degree?