A generation ago, college students could cobble together money for tuition and board through a summer job, scholarships and help from mom and dad. Not anymore. The average price of a year at a state school is now $14, 460 and more than double that at a private college. Only 24 percent of students pay for college without any financial aid. Meanwhile the state government gives lip service to higher education and whacks away at the budgets of state colleges and universities. This will discourage some from attending college and saddle others with massive debts.