Apply Early
To keep it quick and easy, apply online. High school students interested in academic scholarships should apply by January 1 of their senior year.
Fill out the FAFSA
Federal student financial aid may be available to you, but you won't know until you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your eligibility is calculated by taking the cost of attending a particular college minus the expected family contribution (EFC).
Your EFC is determined by your financial circumstances and how they compare to others applying for aid.
Look Around
There may be other public and private scholarships available through local businesses, clubs and organizations. Do some investigating on the Web.