Getting a college education is not only important, it's expensive. However, scholarships, grants and loans can help virtually anyone make it through school. Many jobs will not even hire someone without a college degree anymore, and with so many financial options, there is no reason to sell yourself short. Especially if you have a 4.0 GPA.

Search for scholarships on Fastweb. Fastweb lists thousands of scholarships and grants for virtually any type of student. You can fill out a profile about yourself, and Fastweb will tell you what scholarships you may qualify for based on everything from your heritage to your academic successes to what your parents do for a living.

Call the admissions department or financial aid department at the college you would like to attend. Ask them if they offer any scholarships for students who wish to attend their school. If they do, find out what the qualifications are and when the deadline is. Then have them send you an application.

Research your community's organizations. Sometimes churches, your local Rotary, or other organizations offer scholarships to local students. Though they usually aren't going to be enough to pay for your entire college education, they're often enough to cover a class or two--or at the very least, pay for books.

Apply for federal grants. The two most popular grants are the Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Both of these are available to low-income individuals to help them through college. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back in the future.

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