The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The federal government can give students grants, loans and scholarships depending on their academic standing and economic situation. Usually, those people who feel that they can't afford school are able to earn some sort of federal aid. Many people with the highest need are able to earn grants so that they don't have to pay very much at all. A FAFSA is quite useful, but it requires you to get all your financial information together. Or, if you are a dependant, like most college freshman are, your parents? financial information. This includes tax returns, bank statements, etc? People who have no one claim them as a dependant are usually awarded more money. It is even better if they have dependants themselves.

Financial aid is an important part of applying for college whether you choose online study or a traditional program. Though some online schools can be significantly cheaper than their brick and mortar counterparts, they are still a significant investment. Even people who don't have good academic standing shouldn't give up on the scholarship game. If they perform well for their first year of school, they may be eligible for future scholarships.

There are also plenty of scholarships out there for those who are academically successful or fit other criteria. Many of these are offered by private donors or organizations. It is helpful to think of everything that could qualify you for a scholarship. Many scholarships are given to bright students of a certain race or nationality. Others are given to people who are an active part of some sort of club or organization or other extra curricular activity. It is worth looking into these scholarships. There are books listing scholarships, though a Google search should be enough to get you started.