College-bound face dilemma

For Molly Wexler-Romig, Bard College seemed the perfect match. The small liberal arts school in upstate New York has a great academic reputation and strong theater arts program - a must for the aspiring actress. When she first visited last fall, she relished the school's liberal, hippieish atmosphere. So when she received her acceptance letter earlier this month, the choice was obvious.

But now, where she goes to college will come down to dollars and cents, not merely good vibes or academic fit.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the burgeoning student loan crisis, she may have to forgo the $50,000-a-year school for Trinity College in Hartford, a slightly more conventional school that offered her nearly twice as much financial assistance.

"Trinity is looking really good just because of the money," said the 18-year-old Framingham High School senior.


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