Call the college financial aid office yourself. Financial aid officers at colleges are in the best position to answer your specific questions. Call early, and call with a list of questions. Enough good, free information is available that you shouldn't need to pay a consultant for assistance. Look for outside funding sources.
Various organizations offer scholarships and loans to their membership.
Learn the language. Be able to identify the difference between grants and loans. Learn about student employment and merit scholarships. Vocabulary is key to understanding financial aid. Observe the deadlines.