Barack Obama is promising struggling college students he'll find a way to help them pay for school.

The Democratic presidential candidate spoke to students at Wayne County Community College in Taylor, Michigan. He listened as they told stories of balancing family demands, high fuel prices and education costs.

The Illinois senator recalled having to pay off his own mountain of student loan debt. He also mentioned his plan to give students a $4,000 tax credit to help pay tuition and fees in exchange for 100 hours of community service.

The event combined a couple of campaign goals: stressing Obama's plans to help Americans struggling in a tough economy while showing voters in the critical swing state of Michigan more about his modest roots.