HITTING THE CEILING

One reason college graduates arepiling up more debt is that ceilingson federal college loans haven'tbeen raised to match the inflation incollege costs. Although the cost of a4-year college education is up by43% at private colleges and 49% atpublic colleges, students can still borrowno more than $23,000 inStafford loans during their 4-yearcollege stay, and some students maynot qualify for that much. Loansfrom private lenders are plugging thegap, and interest rates are near theirlowest levels in years, although,unlike Stafford loans, rates aren'tcapped. For information on privateloans, check out Sallie Mae (www.salliemae.com) and Nellie Mae(www.nelliemae.com). For the lowdownon all aspects of college financing,visit www.finaid.com.