Start your research at the school you plan to attend. Almost all schools have some sort of scholarship program, which they usually make easy to locate on their official website. Specific programs might also have their own unique scholarships, so check with different departments as well. Depending on their grades, students may automatically qualify for scholarships and bursaries, and many schools offer an entrance scholarship automatically to students who have a certain average.
Meeting with professors or department heads may present new opportunities. Professors tend to be extremely knowledgeable in their industry and may know about scholarships, grants, or bursaries. Scheduling a meeting with a department head may help put a student in touch with the right scholarships. Financial advisers---essentially, experts on the university's scholarships, grants and bursaries---are there for the specific purpose of helping students pay tuition. Other students can also help, as they may have gone through the same process.
Private institutions, philanthropic organizations or industry-related businesses often have scholarship and bursary programs. These programs can prove more difficult to find, as they require a bit more research and may not be associated with a particular university or college. Start by looking at the top organizations related to the field of study; their websites may contain information about such programs. Private philanthropic organizations also provide education grants (see link in Resources section for a directory).
Hundreds of government grants are available for just about everything. However, education grants and scholarships typically have an easier application process. Look at local, state and federal levels for grant funding. A simple browser search may also yield several pertinent results.
While getting a scholarship or bursary may not prove easy or guaranteed, financial assistance usually is. Apply for financial assistance or tuition relief as a backup plan. Some schools will discount the cost of their programs for those who demonstrate financial need. Simply applying for financial assistance may qualify a student automatically for tuition relief.