Estimate the expenses you expect to incur while completing your degree. Those include tuition fees, books and study materials, travel costs, room and board and personal expenses. According to the U.S. Journal of Academics, those may range from $15,100 to $60,000.
Calculate the minimum amount of financial help you may require. Calculate the amount of money you will have at your disposal, such as the money your parents may give you or the income you may receive working part-time. Subtract this sum from the amount of money you'll need, thus arriving at the minimum grant, scholarship or other form of financial support you'll require.
Review your options in terms of receiving grants and scholarships. The easiest thing to do is to contact the department responsible for financial assistance at your college or university. There are many university- and college-specific programs that are closed to students of other universities.
Prepare your resume and a cover letter. Be certain to highlight your strong points, such as extracurricular activities or academic achievements.
Apply for the grants and scholarships for which you are eligible. If you are lucky to receive a grant or a scholarship, don't forget to ask practical questions that are sometimes overlooked, such as where will the financial aid check go and whether you are eligible to receive additional financial support. Also inquire about the requirements you must meet in order to maintain your scholarship (e.g., maintain a certain GPA).