By Teresa Cavaliere
West Palm Beach, FL, USA

Teresa Cavaliere (credit: Joseph J. Bucheck III)

I was so excited when my son received a scholarship from the University, even though it was just a partial scholarship. Of course, that left us with the daunting task of finding the rest of the money for his tuition. I was confident that between the scholarship and Florida's pre-paid tuition plan, it would get us through his first year at school. With that said, it still wasn't enough! So here we go with student loan applications, etc…. I don't mean to sound bitter, but WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE AMERICAN DREAM?!?

What I did learn, after thinking we were so prepared for this, is that it's never enough. Thank God I had the Florida pre-paid plan. However, what Florida forgot to tell me was that it’s a great plan if your student is living at home. Just like gas prices and the good old-fashion loaf of bread, the cost of education changes daily and it is skyrocketing.

I know I sound like my mother (God rest her soul), but she was right! I don't know how my parents did it, raising eight children as Italian immigrants, paying cash for all our needs. Never did they even contemplate having a credit card. Every penny was accounted for. While we never went without, we certainly didn't grow up with all the bells and whistles that our children feel entitled to today.

If anything, this ravaging economy has taught my children to be thankful for the little blessings of everyday life. There is also a positive with this college challenge - they have learned to be resourceful in all facets of their lives.

We are not unlike so many struggling families today when I say that we are down to our proverbial last penny. Although we are confident that it will all work out, we are mentally and emotionally prepared if it doesn't. One more hurdle to jump over. God, all I ask is to get through this year!

Don't lose sight of your goals, that's why we have peanut butter sandwiches. If you are preparing to send your child to college, you can never be too prepared. When you think you have enough money, get more. You'll be glad you did. Finding school funding is like bargain shopping. You have to sort through all the racks of not-so-nice things to find the one for you. It’s exhausting and frustrating, but you have to work at it. Apply for any and all scholarship monies you can. There is so much out there, all you need to do is look.

We will get through this. We will survive!

Teresa Cavaliere is on the frontlines of today’s America and reports on the curves life throws at her.