Whether you’re a student or the parent of one, here are five tips to help you find the best-fit college scholarships.

• Look for Scholarships Before and During College: “There are scholarships open to students as early as grade school, and more than half of scholarships are available for students already enrolled in college,” says Karie Bedford, Client Relationship Manager at Sallie Mae®.
• Refine Your Search: Research scholarships that are the best fit for your interests and talents by using the Sallie Mae Scholarship Search, and apply for those first.
• Put in the Time: Devote time and effort to follow up on the latest matches from your scholarship search, fill out scholarship application forms, and work on scholarship application essays.
• Stay Organized and Be Proactive: “While there are many scholarships available, missing a deadline will most certainly eliminate you from consideration,” Barnes says. Follow up with each organization to make sure the application was received.
• Stay on Your Toes: Be on the lookout for telltale signs of potential scholarship scams. For example, “never pay money or fees for a scholarship and beware of promises of guaranteed money,” Barnes says.

Learn more about how to afford college through scholarships.