UPDATED: Got questions about paying fall college tuition bills, student loans or the first-time homebuyer's credit? Check out Eileen's live chat about personal finance at 12 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 and pose your questions to the expert herself!

Sun business columnist Eileen Ambrose has some excellent ideas for families struggling to pay college costs after their financial situations changed due to job loss, declining investment value, home foreclosures or other problems.

The first step is important: call the college's financial aid office right away and tell them you're having a problem. Several local schools have extended aid adjustment deadlines or even raised money specifically to assist students who are struggling, according to Eileen.

Check her column for more ideas of financial aid sources.