So you have selected a college. Now what? Given the state of the economy, rising tuition costs and limited financial resources, chances are, you may be worried about the tuition crunch. Don't panic. There are lots of options available to help you pay for college.

1. Search for Scholarships

This Web site includes a search tool to help you find scholarships. Following are some tips for using this tool:

2. Determine Your Eligibility

These tools from The Scholarship Academy will help you determine what sets you apart from other applicants and your eligibility for certain scholarships:

• Activities inventory: List activities that show your ledadership, special talents, special activities and/or your civic commitment. (Download PDF.)
  
• Eligibility calculator: Assess factors such as your GPA, test scores, and financial need. (Download PDF.)
  

3. Canvas the Campus

Often, students neglect to take advantage of the resources readily available to them on their respective college campuses. While the Double the Numbers scholarship search provides a few resources for specific colleges, it’s important for you to know how to "canvas the campus" and identify the additional funding you will need to stay in and graduate. Here are a few tips for The Scholarship Academy to get you started.

Quick Checklist for College Students

___ Did you talk to your school's financial aid office about new scholarship opportunities? (Sometimes schools receive donor scholarships that are not widely publicized.)

___ Did you sign up for work-study? On most campuses, work-study is offered on a first-come/first-serve basis. Submitting your FAFSA by the priority deadline is one way to make sure you are considered for on-campus opportunities.

___ Did you send thank you letters to every organization that has given you funding in the past? If so, did you include your accomplishments to date? Who knows? They may have additional funding opportunities available.