Right now there's a lot of young people trying to figure out how to pay for college. It is their hope to be accepted and don't want to be consigned to a work force that in the best of times wasn't receptive to new arrivals in the job market. And those tough times don't help as far as getting the money needed to pay for college.
If I had any advice to offer in that regard, I would say to pursue every avenue available to you as far as getting the money to get to college. Grants, scholarships, selling on eBay, whatever it took. And while I'm not hot on Student Loans because of the debt upon graduation, if there's a choice between that and working part time at the gas station, then go for the loan. And don't accept anything that's offered: shop around and look at different options such as private student loans and college loans. By shopping around, comparing options and getting the best rate and terms you can, it will benefit you not only for paying for college, but teaching you skills that while some would say can be taught, actual application can hone those skills.
I've always believed that if there is something that you want bad enough, there is a way to work it out to achieve that dream. But I'm talking about practical matters. If there is a way that will and desire could get you to play golf as well as Tiger Woods, or act as good as Gene Hackman, then you wouldn't need advice as to how to pay for college.