If you'll need financial assistance to manage your education expenses, don't forget to look to the source. Almost every school offers grants and scholarships, often including awards for full tuition.

To get your share, it pays to do your research and do it early!

College
Almost every college, university, and technical school offers need-and merit-based awards. Call the financial aid office at your prospective school(s) to learn what types of aid are available and then start applying!

• Financial Aid and the Campus Visit
• Tips for Dealing with a Financial Aid Counselor

Grad school
The bulk of "free" money for grad school comes from the programs themselves. Why? By investing in its students, a program invests in its own academic reputation. Assistantships require you to teach or research in return for tuition help. The benefits are plenty. Not only will you get monetary aid, you'll also get experience in your field.

Contact the schools you are considering to find out what might be available to you.

The Imagine America Scholarship
If you're still in high school and planning to attend a career college, you could be selected to win a $1,000 Imagine America Scholarship. To learn more, check out our career college search. When you search schools, you can get information about available awards.

Be a competitor
To win an award, you have to compete! Put time and care into every award application. Highlight your accomplishments! An award committee wants to see that you're the best candidate.