If you haven't saved enough money to pay for your education, don't lose hope. We'll show you public and private sources you can tap.

Despite the high cost of higher education, there are a number of places you might find funding. In this chapter, we examine federal and state loans and grants, programs or work at your school, education tax credits and community-service programs. We offer tips on positioning yourself for your best shot at financial aid or a scholarship. And finally we warn you about some common scams that catch victims every year.

What can you expect to learn from this chapter:

Federal loans and grants   The government has many programs to help students pay for school. We detail each of them here. State aid programs   Individual states have an assortment of aid programs. We describe the types of programs as well as how to investigate which ones are available in your state. Getting help from the college of your choice   Your school can be a good source of funding, from various scholarships, work-study programs to part-time jobs. Scoring a private scholarship or grant   Scholarships aren't just for geniuses. Learn how to research private scholarships that are offered by businesses, organizations and other groups. Looking for cash in all the right places   We run down sources you may not have considered: a tuition-assistance program at your job, ROTC, community service, education tax credits and more. When enough isn't enough   Some final tips on how to find financial assistance to make ends meet. 4 scholarship scams to avoid   The same scams get run every year as students try to find enough money for school. Don't get taken in by these schemes. Chapter 4 quiz   Did you learn enough to find the money for your education? Take the test.