EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- As Connecticut high school seniors prepare to receive college acceptance letters, they search for scholarships to help pay for the schools they plan to attend in the fall.

East Hartford guidance councilor Frank Staples said that many scholarships are available to reduce the out-of-pocket college costs. However, Staples said, students have to search for the scholarships.

"Some students are a bit overwhelmed. They have so much to juggle in terms of their academics," said Staples, of East Hartford High School.

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Staples said that he finds most of the parents of his students are having difficult times due to the dipping economy and the rising prices of essential items.

Parent Martha Edmonds told Channel 3 Eyewitness News that she has an adjustable-rate mortgage, which has put a squeeze on her wallet.

"Our mortgage just went up $700 more. So we're struggling with that; it could have an impact on their futures," said Edmonds, referring to her children.

A mother of seven, Edmonds said she cannot afford to pay college expenses out-of-pocket for all of her children when the time for each of them to enter college comes. She said she needs help with the costs. "It's definitely very difficult. They will have to apply for every scholarship out there," said Edmonds.

One Connecticut college student said it is hard to make financial ends meet while attending college.

"It can be tough. I get help because I was in the military; I do get tuition assistance," said college student Matthew Bissell.

However, even with tuition assistance, Bissell told Eyewitness News, he spends about $500 extra on the cost of college textbooks.