The Rising Cost of College

Tonight "world news" is back with a wake-up call for your wallet. We were stunned to see this number today. Over the past 30 years, college tuition and fees had sky rocketed -- look at that -- 570%.... See More

Tonight "world news" is back with a wake-up call for your wallet. We were stunned to see this number today. Over the past 30 years, college tuition and fees had sky rocketed -- look at that -- 570%. We asked abc's paula faris to look for ways to help cut costs for your family. And she came back with thousands and thousands of dollars tonight in real money. Reporter: Tyler kozimor got into his dream school -- ithaca college in upstate new york. He's taken the tours, applied, and has his heart set. It's just the perfect fit for me. Reporter: Tyler wants to study broadcasting at ithaca's famous communications school, and wrestle. But the family is wrestling with the price of twution, more than $50,000 a year. Tyler was initially offered about $21,000 in financial aid. But for the kozimors, who own this small auto repair shop, unless they can get additional assistance -- he can't go to the school of his dreams. How tough would that be? Real tough. Heartbreaking. Reporter: But there's a silver lining. Enter our college tuition expert kal chaise chaney. Kal says, think of colleges as businesses. You have more leverage than you think you do, but you have to ask for it. The first aid package you get isn't necessarily the final offer. Reporter: Tip number one -- you can appeal the first financial aid package. Did you know that you could appeal? No, I did not. Reporter: Tip number two -- use this phrase to start your appeal letter to the college. You're sending this letter to request reconsideration of the aid that was offered to your son. Reporter: And spell out exactly why you deserve more aid. You want to be polite and cordial. You don't want to be acting like jerry maguire -- "show me the money!" Reporter: And finally, tip number three -- double-check your forms. Tiny mistakes can cost big money. The instructions are confusing. It's a complicated process. Reporter: Kal says the kozimors overstated their income -- a common mistake. And hadn't taken advantage of credits offered to families with multiple children in college -- another common miss. Not long after we visited the kozimors -- an email from ithaca answering their appeal. Opening it now. We went down to $23,254. So, tyler, you get to go to your dream school? Yes. Reporter: With the appeal and tax credit, that's $7,000 a year, saving them nearly $30,000 over his four-year education! If it wasn't for you guys, it wouldn't have happened. So thank you. Reporter: That's real money! Paula faris, abc news, new york. And to learn more, go to facebook after this show, because our expert kal chaney will be taking questions. Go to facebook.Com/world news. And coming up, you are going to