With the cost of a college education increasing exponentially, and the current credit crunch that has had a negative impact on the availability of student loan funds, much has been written recently about making more student loan money available.  One very important issue, given the high cost of a college education and relatively stagnant salaries, is once the decision is made that college is the right career path, what can students and their families do to minimize any student loan and related educational debt incurred to obtain that college or graduate school degree.  A second equally important issue that is finally being brought to the forefront by commentators is whether a college education is right for everyone.  The CARE Program has been focused on these issues for years, and hopes that students, their families and school counselors will consider these issues in light of the materials included in this section.