Sorry to become the purveyor of bad news. But the credit crisis has affected so many people, including homeowners and now -- kids who want to go to college.

Another casualty of the subprime-mortgage meltdown are prospective college students who are finding it more difficult to take out a bank loan to pay for school, according to the Washington Post. And those students who really need the money, like those who attend community college or a trade school, are finding it nearly impossible.

Students seeking federally guaranteed loans, which are popular because they offer fixed, below-market rates, could be required to pay higher fees to borrow money, according to university finance directors and lenders.

An even greater burden may fall on those taking out private loans, which have become increasingly common as students look for new sources to finance the soaring costs of college. These loans often have variable rates, and they are projected to jump this year.

And at community and for-profit colleges, some students may be denied private loans entirely because the financial industry considers them riskier investments than their peers at other educational institutions.

Two of the nation's largest student loan organizations -- Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and College Loan Corp. -- have stopped participating in the federal loan program. Other firms like Sallie Mae are tightening credit requirements for private loans.