The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the catch-all form used to determine aid eligibility by the federal government. Consequently, almost all community colleges require students to complete it. It also determines how much you will have to contribute toward education costs and how much aid you will receive.
Some community colleges have fee waivers for disadvantaged students. This exempts students from some or all fees, but they still have to pay for books and other needs.
On-campus scholarships are a good resource because they are specifically aimed at the student body, which is smaller at community colleges. This reduces the pool of competitors from thousands of students to hundreds.
These are usually more competitive because they are open to students across the country (or around the world), but the rewards are usually bigger.
Don't lie about enrollment or grade-point average. Your school will usually verify this information before funds are sent. Always send a thank-you letter to the awarding organizations. FAFSA deadlines vary by state. Check the application for your state's deadline.