As tuition costs continue to rise faster than the rate of inflation, Perrinez is just one of a growing list of college students who are borrowing more and are finishing school more in debt. In 2000, the average UNH student graduated with nearly $19,000 in loans. In 2006, a typical student left UNH more than $25,000 in debt.

On average, tuition tends to increase at about twice the general inflation rate, according to the financial aid Web site FinAid.org.

According to Susan Allen, director of financial aid at UNH, there is growing concern over the increased levels of borrowing.

"Certainly, a college degree is worth the investment," Allen said, "but borrowing is becoming more necessary as costs go up and federal grants remain level-funded."

Congress has proposed a plan that would lower the interest rates on federal student loans. The proposal would cut subsidized student loan rates from 6.8 to 3.4 percent and would be phased in over five years. This past week, the Democratic-controlled House voted overwhelmingly to cut interest rates on need-based student loans, but the Bush administration opposes the bill and Senate Democrats plan to bring up more comprehensive legislation that could complicate its prospects.

And Allen isn't convinced the proposal is the right fix.

"While this would be a positive move," she said, "I'm not sure it would do much to lessen the debt burdens of students."

Allen is particularly concerned over the growing number of students who are using alternative loans from banks. Alternative, or private loans, are typically accompanied by higher interest rates.

But despite the potential pitfalls of alternative loans, Allen said more students are utilizing them because they can't get enough money in federal loans. The Stafford federal loan program only allows students to borrow $23,000 over four years.

According to Allen, the better solution is to increase funding for Pell grants -- which are federal aid grants given to students based on financial need.

"Increases in that (Pell grant) program would potentially lessen the need to borrow in addition to increasing access for our neediest students," Allen said.

Chris Stone graduated from UNH in 2004 with nearly $20,000 in loan debt.

"Although it's a pain to have to pay as much money as I've had to every month," Stone said, "I wouldn't have the job or standard or living I currently have if I didn't have a college degree, so I try and keep that in mind as I cut the check every month."

According to Dallas Martin, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the group has long supported and urged Congress to take action to create more access to post-secondary education.

"Reducing total loan costs for subsidized Stafford loan borrowers is one of the most beneficial actions Congress can take," Martin wrote in a letter he sent to the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor.

However, in his letter, Martin highlighted the need for increased Pell grant funding.

"We continue to urge that the highest priority must be increased funding of the Pell grant program," Martin wrote.

Martin also suggested an increase in federal loan limits would help borrowers stay away from more expensive private, alternative loans.

Before UNH students take on an alternative loan, Allen said her department tries to meet with them one-on-one.

"We try to make sure that they are aware of what that additional debt burden will mean," Allen said.