When Sarah J. Bauder meets with parents and students at the University of Maryland, College Park about their financial concerns, she finds they often won't start talking until she closes her office door.

Bauder, the university's director of student financial aid, recalled a recent meeting with parents who could not look her in the eye as they said their financial plight kept them from paying for their child's tuition.

"My first comment was, ‘You're not the only one,'" Bauder said. "The economic downturn has affected so many people."

With the 2009-2010 school year rapidly approaching, colleges and universities throughout the state have seen an increase in the number of students applying for financial aid, which has put more pressure on schools to provide money for needy students.

Some of the schools have seen only minor increases in the number of students seeking aid, while others have seen a major jump.

The University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, for example, already gives aid to 90 percent of its students; therefore, it has not seen a significant increase, an official said.

At the University of Maryland, University College, however, the numbers have risen steadily the past three years. For the fall semester this year, the school received 14,717 aid applications — up 69 percent in three years.

Even though the national recession has ravaged household incomes, Bauder found that many families still are uneasy in seeking help to pay their children's tuition bills.

The state is having its own financial difficulties. The Maryland Higher Education Commission, which provides state financial aid, has $108 million in available aid for students this coming school year, down $1 million from last year, said Bob Parker, MHEC's director of financial aid.

Officials at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg have noticed a similar increase in numbers of students applying for financial aid, said David Reeder, the college's director of financial aid.

"Times are certainly tougher this year than any other year I have been in financial aid," he said. "Applications were up overall."

In the past year, the number of students seeking emergency financial aid has tripled, Reeder said. On average, 10 families a year apply for financial aid; this year, nearly 30 families have applied, according to college information.

"It's been either a loss of a job, or a parent was forced to take a pay cut," Reeder said. "I just spoke to a parent who was furloughed."

In these cases, Reeder said, college staff help parents resubmit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid and declare their loss of income. If they still can't qualify for federal aid, students can apply for merit- or need-based scholarships at the university.

Mount St. Mary's usually budgets $17 million for scholarships. In anticipation of the tougher economic times this year, the school added $300,000 to the fund, Reeder said.

When all other options are exhausted, Mount St. Mary's counselors may offer some alternatives based on the circumstances of the individual student. Students who are close to graduating might have to take out a private loan to complete their degree. Incoming freshmen might be counseled to take a more affordable route to higher education, like spending a year or two at a community college, Reeder said.

In a typical year, the University of Maryland, College Park's financial aid office spends roughly $500,000 in midyear emergencies, for students who need additional aid to continue their education. This year, the school has spent $1.5 million in emergency assistance, she said.

"You feel so heartbroken for the 19-, 20-, 21-year-old who is saying, ‘My mom has lost her job, and she doesn't know I'm here. What can you do to help me out?'" Bauder said.