How can high school students find grants and scholarships for college?

I'm starting to plan for college, and I'm really interested in understanding the different options for grants and scholarships available. Any recommendations on how to search for these and what types of grants are out there?

Searching for grants and scholarships is a significant step in the college planning process as, often, they can substantially reduce the cost of your education. Let's break down the types of scholarships and grants before we look at the strategies to find them.

There are generally two types of scholarships and grants: merit-based and need-based.

1. Merit-based awards are given based on talents, abilities, or accomplishments (like grades, athletics, artistic abilities, leadership, or volunteering services). These are not tied to financial need.

2. Need-based scholarships and grants depend on the student or the family's financial situation. These are often provided directly by colleges, but also by outside organizations.

Now, when it comes to finding them, you have several useful avenues:

1. Your High School Counseling Office: Often, they have databases of local scholarships and can point you to resources they've found helpful for students in the past.

2. Online Scholarship Search Platforms: There are numerous online platforms such as Fastweb and Appily which provide comprehensive and updated databases of grants and scholarships. You can put in your criteria and the platform will give you best fit scholarships to apply to.

3. Directly through Colleges: Many colleges offer scholarships and grants to incoming students, especially for those with outstanding academic or extracurricular achievements. Check each college's financial aid page for more information.

4. Local community organizations and businesses: Some local businesses, clubs, and civic organizations offer scholarships for local students. Investigate local offerings in your community or region.

5. Government grants: For need-based aid, the U.S. government provides various grants, the most common being the Pell Grant. To apply, you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which determines your eligibility.

Remember, when applying to scholarships, the best strategy is to apply early and apply often. Cast a wide net and remember that even seemingly small scholarship wins can add up significantly. Best of luck in your search!