JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The thought of paying for their kids' college education, is the kind of thing that keeps many parents awake at night.
Numbers show how costs have risen in just the last few years. Five years ago the national average for public, four-year, in-state schools was about $6,200. Today, it's about $8,200.
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Florida's in-state tuition is lower, but it's still gone up considerably, from about $2,800 five years ago, to more than double that, now at over $5,600.
President Obama recently announced a plan to contain college costs, but just yesterday, Vice President Joe Biden said it probably wouldn't help Florida, leaving many wondering why.
College student Nasham Ria said, "Right now I'm going to school for a respiratory technician and my tuition is like $11,000, and it's a lot."
Ria is expecting her college debt to be more than $25,000 by the time she graduates. Like most college students, she's wondering how she's going to pay off her loans, and worried that tuition could jump once again next year.
"It's not like we already have careers and already have jobs. Then your stretching it out, over six months, a 12 year period," Ria said.
College tuition nationally rose 8.3% in the last year, which is why President Obama wants universities to stop raising tuition prices. He's proposing to steer federal funds in the direction of universities that keep tuition costs down, and pull back on the federal funding of the others.
Student Steven Williams said, "I'm just stressed. With me being a father, you have to take care of your kids first, bills at the house, lights, rent. Then you have to worry about paying the school back or they will come for their money."
The President's plan however is under fire from university officials across the country who said the cost of energy, goods, services, labs, and teaching talent have all increased. They warn that not raising the cost of tuition will result in college students getting a diluted education.