Finding the money to get into college is usually a big obstacle for most people. The Federal government’s Department of Education says that it will be providing over $83 billion dollars of aid for college students. But that money gets used up fast, so let’s go over a few tips to make sure that you get a little piece of that cash to up your living status beyond the regular consumption of Ramen.

Tip #1: Absolutely, positively file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). That’s the primary way that you’ll be eligible for all kinds of loans and grants. Particularly, you’ll want to look into Pell grants if you’re eligible—a grant is one of those wonderful things that you don’t have to pay back.

Tip #2: Frequently talk to your college financial aid department. While the government has all kinds of aid programs, colleges have their own assortment of scholarships and student aid programs. Some of them can be quite specific depending on the program. For instance, a donor may have a scholarship fund specifically for musicians who play the oboe. Seriously, this stuff is out there, and if you just happen to play the oboe, it may be your lucky day.

Tip #3: Don’t wait. Start filling out scholarship applications as early as possible. There are numerous scholarships and contests separate from colleges and the government. Check out one of those big scholarship books from the library or find a site online. Oh, one more thing: scholarships should never charge a fee. There are a number of scams out there, so just keep an eye out.

Tip #4: Write thank you notes. This is a tip for after you’ve got the money. But assuming that you get some aid, remember that a little gratitude goes a long way. Thanking donors and financial aid advisors is not only a nice thing to do, but it can encourage them to think well of you when it’s time to renew those student aid programs next year.

May you find lots of financial aid!