Nearly every town or city has service organizations that offer college students financial assistance. Find out from the various organizations in the community if they have scholarships available and what the criteria is that is used to select recipients. If you receive a scholarship from a group or individual, inform them of your gratitude and your progress. A letter of thanks goes far toward encouraging renewal of these awards. You can find out more about the availability of private scholarships by doing a little research.
Most libraries have reference books that list private scholarship sources and criteria.
Contact the Better Business Bureau before you send money to any of these firms. When you apply for financial aid you are generally applying for the need-based aid available. Freshmen are automatically considered applicants for departmental scholarships as they are admitted into the University. As you continue through college the process becomes even more automatic. Your grades will be reviewed by your individual department and you will be notified if you are eligible for merit-based awards.