SYRACUSE -- With college costs going up, more students are trying to get scholarships, grant money and loans to pay for it. This year there are some changes you may not realize.

LaSonya Griggs, the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at SUNY Upstate Medical University, says she encourages all students to apply for financial aid.

"There is more money available," Griggs said. "The federal Pell Grant program was just increased recently so students who received a notice that say they may not be eligible for a Pell Grant will receive another notice within the next couple of weeks from the Department of Education that says you are now eligible for the federal Pell Grant program."

Griggs says 85 percent of their students get financial aid. Some big changes this year will impact students. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 was signed into law this year. There is, now, one source for federal student loans. Banks are cut out of the picture and students now borrow directly from the Department of Education. The same goes for parents who borrow on behalf of their children. Also, most students will be required to complete a promissory note with the Department of Education.

Click for information from Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and Student Loans.gov 

CNY Central will be holding a phone bank on Thursday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., where a panel of financial aid advisors will be in our call center taking your questions about college financial aid. Tune in to NBC3 or logon to CNYcentral.com to join the chat!