The best things in life are free, they say. And to a college student, scholarships and grants have to rank pretty high up on the list.

This is the first place to look when considering how to pay for a college education. After all, this moneyl is referred to as gift aid, and it does not have to be paid back.

But even free money doesn't exactly fall out of trees -- you have to go looking for it, and that can entail quite a search. Start with those available in your local community through religious and civic organizations before going on to awards available at the state and federal levels.

Paying for college with grants, gifts and discounts -- Loans and savings are great ways to pay for college, but the best way is to find someone to give you the money.

17 smart ways to shop scholarships -- It's like entering the lottery, but you can improve your odds.

8 alternative ways to pay for college -- Use these strategies to help knock down the higher costs of higher education.

Scholarships for average Joes -- You don't have to be among the academic elite to land a scholarship.

Scoring a private scholarship or grant-- There are plenty of scholarships and grants are available each year. The trick is in tracking them down.

Top college scholarship scams -- Thousands of students and their parents get taken every year by con artists who promise, but never deliver, money for college

Special breaks for adult students -- Almost 40 percent of college students are 25 and older. Being older and wiser has its advantages.

In scholarships, sweat the small stuff -- Those smaller awards can really add up, and there's less competition for them.

-- Posted: Aug. 11, 2005