The Gray AreaNow, in the twenty-first century, having a good, stable, and reliable career requires a college degree. Years ago, people could get a job based on good reputation in their community. As my great-grandmother always said, “I used to get a loan based on a handshake and now they want this credit history crap.” Years ago people worked and retired in one job, not anymore. In the year 2011 a high school diploma or GED won't get someone very far unless you aspire to be an entrepreneur (and that also depends on what you do). As college education continues to increase, students, regardless of age, will encounter one aspect: financial aid. For most college students, financial aid is a nightmare and there are so many loopholes and gray areas related to the financial aid process. Although the government can only give a certain limit, the gray area is overwhelmed by student loans and the difficulty of being independent. Gov. Rick Perry wants to defy the legislature to create a $10,000 bachelor's degree, not only is that an unrealistic thought, but with proposed budget cuts reaching millions per school, that could mean a bachelor's degree is even further out carried for thousands more Texans (Mulvaney). As the saying goes, “you get what you pay for,” so if a student can earn a four-year, $10,000 degree, will it still hold the same standard as a degree from the University of Texas or Rice University? Or a college education won't mean the same thing. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Committee, even a bachelor's degree from the least expensive state university Texas A&M University-Texarkana costs $18,584, which does not include textbooks or room and board (Mulvaney). Texas Tuition Rates Start...... paper medium ......ts." Financial aid faces tough tests September 6, 2010. Dallas Morning News. Web. March 23, 2011. ."FinAid | Loans | Loan Forgiveness." FinAid! Financial Aid, College Scholarships, and Student Loans. Web. March 29, 2011. .Hewitt, Doug, and Robin Hewitt. College Resource Book. Waco, TX: Prufrock, 2010. Print.Kristof, Kathy Taming the Tuition Tiger: Getting Money to Graduate - With 529 Plans, Scholarships, Financial Aid, and More Princeton, NJ: Bloomberg, 2003. Print "Private Student Loans: Pros and Cons, Plus Some Extra Tips." .Money for college? Is this site for you…. Web 10 April. 2011. .