Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for student financial aid from the federal government. The federal government awards three types of financial assistance to college students: grants, which do not have to be repaid, loans and work study jobs.
Meet with a financial-aid counselor from the school you wish to attend. After you receive an award letter from your school's financial aid office, meet with a counselor to discuss your options for obtaining financial assistance you don't have to repay. Ask any questions you might have about your financial-aid package. Make sure you leave with a clear understanding of your responsibilities and obligations, as well as any tasks you need to complete to accept your award.
Apply for federal and state grant assistance. The federal government administers four grant programs: the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or SEOG, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education or TEACH Grant, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. In addition, many state higher education agencies also award grants.
Seek out scholarships. Scholarships are a form of free money that students do not need to repay. Scholarships can be need-based, achievement-based or based on affiliation. Your high school guidance counselor will have information about many competitive scholarships that are available to high school seniors. Check with your college's financial-aid office to see if that school offers any scholarships you might qualify for. Many colleges offer academic, athletic and need-based scholarships. In addition, organizations such as churches, veteran's groups, charitable organizations, employers and labor unions you or your family members may be affiliated with may also sponsor scholarship programs.
Compete for prizes. Many contests and competitions offer prizes in the form of cash, savings bonds or scholarships that can be used to pay for school. Major competitions that involve areas such as writing, art, inventions and science are conducted frequently across the country. For example, Scholastic holds annual competitions for student artists and writers, and the Siemens Foundation awards scholarships in amounts up to $100,000 to students who compete in its science, technology and math challenges.