File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before your school's priority deadline, which is normally February 15th. Schools use the FAFSA to determine your financial need and your eligibility for federal grant programs and other need-based aid that your school offers.
Inquire at your high school about scholarships or grants that may be available to you. Many schools offer their juniors and seniors opportunities to compete or apply for awards available to the student body, or they may have made special arrangements through community resources.
Ask your school's financial aid office about grants or scholarships that are available at your school and for which you can apply. Your school's financial aid office can guide you through the application process for each source of funding. Scholarships can have very specific qualifications that greatly narrow the number of eligible applicants, whereas other scholarships can have very general qualifications that apply to a broader range of applicants.
Search for private grants or scholarships. Many businesses, clubs, organizations, religious and special interest groups provide private grants or scholarships to students. Ask businesses and organizations with which you are affiliated, such as your local bank or credit union, your church or your parents' employers, if they offer scholarships. Also, check with other community organizations and businesses, as many offer money to students from their community, even if you are not affiliated. Performing an online search for national or international grants or scholarships should not be overlooked.
Create a list of all potential grants or scholarships for which you might be eligible. Prioritize this list by placing importance on those grants or scholarships that you think you have the greatest chance of obtaining. List special circumstances in your personal history that can make a significant difference in your grant or scholarship applications. Provide strong support to justify why and how you are uniquely qualified to receive financial funding --- for example, cite your exemplary academic performance, social and extracurricular activities and commitment to the local community and church. Note the specific application deadlines.
Obtain and complete grant and scholarship applications on your list. Gather the required supporting documents. Prepare personal statements, as instructed. Verify that you have included everything in the application before you mail the application forms.
Mail your application forms before the deadlines. Record the proper information: names of grants and scholarships; dates of submission; amount of funding. Monitor the status of your applications and follow up, if necessary.