In America, part of the formula for success includes a college education. But a tightening economy and rising tuition costs has made it more difficult than ever to afford college, particularly for people with low incomes.

When you were in grade school, you may have been told that if you don't attend college, you won't get a good job. That assumption is hardly accurate, as many people in the trades will tell you. However, access to top jobs in most businesses generally requires a college degree-a diploma that's increasingly drifting out of reach for people with low incomes.

The decline in college attendance for students in the lower economic strata is troubling, especially considering the number of financial aid and scholarship opportunities available. If acquiring financial aid proves impossible, there are different ways to fund an education.

Revisit the financial aid process

Recently, Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, bemoaned the lack of applicants for financial aid programs, laying blame on the complexity of the system. The application process may be confusing, but it's the best game in town for people with low incomes. There are plenty of need-based grants and work-study programs available; all you need to do is fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to see if you qualify.

You can also apply for scholarships or student loans. Federal student loan programs defer repayment until you've graduated from college and have begun earning money in a new career. Scholarships are a highly-sought after pot of gold, with many applicants competing for the same prize. However, like a grant, they don't need to be repaid, and are awarded for a wide range of talents.

Get employed-live cheaply

School is a grind, but there's plenty of down time between classes. To help offset today's rather sizable tuition fees, a student can get a part-time job. Ideally, it helps when the student gets a job that's related to his career interest.

Along with adding a job, cheap housing can also help lower overall costs. Either a student can live at home with mom and dad, or find a number of roommates in off-campus housing. Because part of the college experience is assuming a bohemian existence, a student can play the part and choose an extremely humble abode.

Stay local

Major universities cost major bucks. Consider attending a community or state college for the first two years of your undergraduate studies, and then transfer your credits to a larger institution. Generally, you won't lose much in the transfer, and you'll save big bucks on the two years of lower tuition.

College costs can be a major headache for students and their families. People with lower incomes and little savings are particularly hit hard. However, where there's a will, there's a way. By pursuing options like financial aid, part-time jobs, or local colleges, you can pay a lower price tag for a higher education.