In the United States today, there exists a very serious conversation over financial aid at all levels of education. The conversation going on nationally permeates every level of society: politics, the nuclear family, and the economy. Further, at this point in our national history, we have several generation gaps with respect to education and its financing. The ever-rising cost of inflation has nearly quadrupled higher education tuition in a relatively short amount of time. Grandparents, parents, and children have all encountered college tuition in vastly different ways. The government has made attempts over the past decades to make education accessible; for example, the G.I. Bill after World War II made it possible for the current generation's grandparents to achieve higher education. However, the Baby Boomer generation who lived through the Vietnam era found new motivation to attend college; their college education cost a fraction of the present-day tuition bill. This dissertation focused specifically on modern students attending college in the present day. The process of researching and acquiring financial aid if necessary for their higher education presents a stress level which impacts students' academic success. It may also impact their success after completing their education as well. This researcher aimed to understand that impact and determine if there is a more beneficial financial aid system currently in existence. This research involved looking at the Canadian system of providing financial aid, compared to the American system. Each nation is a capitalist system that values education but provides different means of providing financial aid. Data for this project were collected from men and women who have either completed or are in the process of completing their college education. Further, students from the United States and Canada were interviewed and provided questionnaires which they completed and returned to be used as data for the study findings. The results indicated a common theme among all research participants in both countries. This theme is a deep concern over carrying debt into their adult lives. Much mention was made of beginning adulthood post-graduation and the impact any debt would have on their lifestyle. As a result, their decision on which university to attend and how to finance it was impacted. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]