With the costs of higher education soaring in this country, many families are struggling like never before to send their children to college.

According to the College Board, a nonprofit association of educational institutions, average tuition and fees for public four-year colleges and universities climbed 47 percent over the last 10 years and 42 percent at private colleges. This sharp increase in college costs is preventing many capable, eager and qualified students from pursuing a four-year degree. The Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance reports that nearly half of all college-qualified high school graduates cite cost as the main reason for not going directly to a four-year institution and almost a quarter say they decided to skip college altogether because of the high cost.

This is very unfortunate. While college remains out of reach for many, job applicants entering the workforce in today's competitive marketplace need an advanced degree more than ever, especially to move up the ladder. With this in mind, as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee with jurisdiction over the Department of Education, I have made it a priority to support legislation that provides increased funding for higher education, especially for the federal Pell Grant program, which does not require repayment. This year alone, Pell Grant aid is helping more than five million needy students nationwide pay for college.

So where do you go to find out more about the different resources available to pay for college? Start with my web site at www.house.gov/roybal-allard and click "Student Section" and "Making College Affordable." There you will find just a sampling of the up-to-date financial resources available about federal loans, internships, fellowships, private scholarships and work study opportunities to help parents and students afford college. For those families in the 34th Congressional District without web access, please call my district office at (213) 628-9230 and my staff will be happy to mail the scholarship materials directly to you. Upon request, I also sponsor college financial aid workshops to help parents and students fill out the often-lengthy federal financial aid forms.

My web site also provides information about our nation's prestigious service academies, which include the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. For students who meet the demanding academic and physical requirements, the service academies provide a free four-year education (worth up to $300,000) in exchange for a five-year military commitment after graduation. Since entering Congress in 1993, it has been my privilege each year to nominate bright young men and women from my congressional district for possible admission into the academies. To help parents and students learn more about the service academies, I sponsor annual service academy informational sessions. Representatives from the various academies, current students, alumni and staff members from my district office are available to explain the nomination process and admission criteria and to provide an overview of academy life. Attending a service academy is certainly not for everyone and only a select few qualify and gain admission, but given today's soaring college costs, parents and students need to know their options.

After all, education is the key to a better life in this country. As your Member of Congress, I'm committed to making sure as many people as possible have access to a college education and the many opportunities the experience provides.