Start in high school. As a junior, you can attend financial information nights to learn about the process. Then as a senior, you can hit the ground running. Start filling out your FAFSA paperwork early so you can be considered for the maximum number of grants and loans.
Meet with your high school counselor. She's skilled in helping students find financial aid for college. Another option is the financial aid office of the college you're interested in. They may also offer some helpful tips.
Highlight your talents on your applications. Some grants and scholarships are need based, meaning they're meant for students who come from low income families. But other grants and scholarships and merit based for students who excel in certain areas.
Apply for everything you can find. The more applications you submit mean you have a greater chance of getting selected.
Fill out every area of each application. You're competing with potentially thousands of other students for grants and loans. A mistake or omission on your application means you could be no longer considered.
Visit your local bank to ask about loan options. If you don't receive enough grants to pay for college, student loans can make up the difference. These usually have a low interest rate and you don't have to pay them back until six months after graduation.