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As the new school year begins, many parents' thoughts may be turning to a future of appallingly pricey college tuition payments. So we thought now would be a good time to tap an expert for advice on how to bring those costs down. Here's what we learned:

In today's tough economy, a college degree is even more necessary -- though it's no guarantee of a job. But with tuition costs going through the roof, what's a frugal student to do? Try getting a deep discount on your degree with the help of the local community college.

The College on a Dime series is written by Zac Bissonnette, a junior at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His book College On a Dime will be published by Penguin in the fall. Think community college is nothing more than a fifth year of high school for kids who couldn't get into four year...