Texas students are struggling to pay for college, and a new survey confirms they want the government to kick in more help.
Seventy-eight percent of those polled in Texas believe student debt is a major problem, according to Western Governors University, and about half think the government spends "too little" on education.
Seventy-two percent of those without a diploma say the cost of college was the major hurdle.
At the University of North Texas, roughly 75 percent of the students receive assistance through scholarships or financial aid, according to the financial aid office. More than $350 million of financial aid are awarded each year, including more than $39 million in scholarships.
Claudia Lee and Devon Foster both receive financial aid, and have on-campus jobs to help with other expenses. They say they worry about their finances a lot.
"I have a lot of friends who have already graduated and they talk to me about how they are paying off their debt currently, and how ridiculous it is, how much they are have to pay how long it is going to take," said Lee.
It will take her a while to pay it off. Lee says she expects to be laying off loans for at least 10 years.
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"I think the government should be more involved in helping students," she added.
State funding is up to the Legislature, which meets in January. But the budget this year could be difficult. Lawmakers have fewer dollars than anticipated. Struggles in the oil and gas industry mean less sales tax revenue.
