First of all, be encouraged by the fact that more than 90% of students in most colleges and universities receive financial aid one way or the other, and you too could be one of this huge statistic – all it takes is knowing where to find financial aid, and how to apply for it.
If you are living in the United States, the first step you could take would be to go to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Web site at fafsa.ed.gov. There are several different federal aids available through this route, such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, and Federal Work-Study Programs. FAFSA works by taking into consideration the student's family's income and assets, in order to determine the type and degree of financial aid the student realistically needs throughout college. It's best to apply as early as possible so that you have a chance at getting the top student aids available. Forms are available at the Web site which you can fill out online. Know also that many other sources of college aid require you to have completed a FAFSA form before you can apply for their program.
Other Web sites that you can go to include studentaid.ed.gov (there are lots of links to financial aid opportunities there, as well as answers to frequently asked questions regarding financing your college education), fastweb.com, and finaid.org. Make sure that you really allot time to go through each Web site, as you don't want to miss out on the opportunities you can apply for.
Another route you could take is by going to the Web site of the college or university you are applying for, and then browse through their listings of available school scholarships and college grants. Many universities offer need-based loans and scholarships; know, however, that many scholarships they also offer are merit-based, depending on your high school standing and achievements. Some institutions offer these scholarships automatically as they review your college application forms. There are also minimum grade requirements that you'd have to maintain in your college courses in order to keep the scholarship. That’s another motivation for you to do well in your studies.
Go to your school guidance counselor so that she can help you get listings on student financial aid opportunities. This will be especially helpful if you are still in high school and your guidance counselor really knows you, your academic standing, etc. This will make your search more tailor-made for your needs. You could also enlist her help not just in acquiring the listings, but in actually obtaining the scholarship, as well.
There are outside organizations that offer merit-based scholarships and outstanding achievements, such as for leadership, community service, or affiliation to an organization (such as the Boy Scouts). There are also sports scholarships for those who have shown stellar performance in a particular school sport. If you are part of a school's sports team or any organization, make sure that you ask your faculty adviser about the different scholarships available for you.
If you belong to a minority group then know that there are also scholarships available for you, regardless of whether you are an average student, or an above-average one.
Do your own research on relevant terms pertaining to financial aid. Know the difference between a student loan (usually easier to obtain, but must be repaid over a set period of time) and a scholarship (doesn't have to be repaid). Know other terms such as work-study grants and also make it a point to learn how to recognize common scholarship scams.
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