1. www.fafsa.ed.gov
This is where you can fill out your federal financial aid online, but it's so much more. This site provides worksheets, information on the financial aid process and scholarships, a college savings calculator and more.
2. www.fastweb.com
This is thorough database featuring thousands of scholarships affiliated with Monster, an online career finder. Match your profile to scholarships to save time.
3. www.scholarshipexperts.com
Want to search 2.4 million scholarships worth $14 billion? This is the place.
4. http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp
The College Board (the folks who run the SATs) provides a search for $3 billion worth of scholarships.
5. www.collegetoolkit.com
This site features a searchable scholarship database as well as cool features such as “Can I Get In?” Tell the site your school and qualifications and it’ll handicap your odds.
6. www.collegenet.com/mach25/app
This allows you to search scholarships by keyword, like if you know there’s one out there for fans of author Ayn Rand, or by profile based on your background.
7. www.mapping-your-future.org
Run by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), this site is your 411 on careers, selecting a school and paying for college. The site breaks down loans, grants, scholarships and work-study programs with helpful links to other resources.
8. www.finaid.org
Jam-packed with information on financial aid and search tips, the site is a compliment to
www.fastweb.com
9. www.scholarshiphelp.org
If you're looking for a breakdown of the process from writing essays to rating scholarship search sites, look no further.
10. www.collegegoalsundayusa.org
Another site by NAFSAA where you can find links to College Goal Sunday sites by state. Go to College Goal Sunday and let the pros help you get it done, for free, on time.
Susan J. Demas is a contributing editor to EduGuide and 2006 Knight Foundation Fellow in Nonprofits Journalism.