ESCAMBIA COUNTY - Our team coverage of the economic crisis continues, with Channel Three's James Jackson, who joins us now.

How is this national crisis, affecting local students?

60 to 65-percent of students at the University Of West Florida are on financial aid.

As the economy continues to experience hard times... Some students who get assistance are too.

"Hey! How are you?"

Junior Danielle Ducote pays for part of her U-W-F tuition, through a work-study program offered by the school's financial aid program.

She says she's not worried about losing the help she gets to pay for school, she - and many students like her - are keeping a close eye on the slumping economy.

Danielle Ducote/UWF Student
"I was a little worried because we knew tuition was going to go up, along with housing and food and gas and everything like that."

With the nation's economy suffering more than it has in decades... U-W-F is lucky.

It's a direct lending institution, which means the school gets financial aid money from the Department Of Education... Rather than private lenders.

Still, under 10- percent of students on financial aid *do get their money from *private lenders - and some of them *are in jeopardy.

Cathy Brown/UWF Financial Aid Director
"It's a little harder these days of course because of the economy and the lenders are getting a little bit tighter towards the students they choose to loan to."

Financial aid advisors anticipate *more student loan applications next year, and unless the economy improves, many, could be rejected.

Cathy Brown/UWF Financial Aid Director
"We may have students coming back to school because they've been laid off or unemployed, so we would see probably an increase in the number of students, who are asking for money."

Danielle Ducote/UWF Student
"During my three years here and six semesters, I've always gotten a scholarship check and financial aid has always helped out."

Danielle Ducote says she's very fortunate.

This isn't her only job, and she's also got other scholarship money.

Still, she worries about the students who aren't as fortunate.

"Thanks! Have a good day!"Student Loans and The Economy