Missouri State senior and broadcast journalism student Erica Brame should be anxious about graduating, instead she's worried about finishing her senior year. " can't get my money to pay my school."

She hasn't gotten her loan yet because she had to change lenders. A sign of the times says Assistant director of financial aid Jackie Lewis. "Iit used to be everyone participated, credit unions, small banks, large banks." But not anymore. "It's becoming clear that money has tightened up to point that lenders can't survive - they don't have cash flow to keep it going."

As a result, many have dropped out of the federal student loan program -- leaving Erika in a lurch. Since she had to go through the application process again, it's delaying the processing of her loan. Since she hasn't paid her tuition, she is now incumbered to the university which means since she works there, she can't get her paycheck. "I can't put gas in car - this is how I get to school and I don't get paid because I don't have financial aid money to put in account which I should have had already."

Lewis says few students have faced Erika's difficulties - and hopes the transition for most will continue to be a smooth one during these bumpy financial times.

Some good news, although the pool of lenders is getting more shallow, Lewis says the amount of loan money available has not been impacted.