Most students and their families view college admission and scholarships logically. They first worry about gaining admission and then try to find scholarships after they discover the sticker price where they have been accepted. The problem with that logical sequence is that by the time they know which college accepted them, the scholarship deadlines have passed.

An illogical approach works better. First find out which colleges are generous to the type of student in question. Then apply to those colleges. All along the way-at least a year in advance-apply for external scholarships. 

When it comes to scholarships, you have to begin the process before you even know how much college will actually cost or even where the student will have the opportunity to study.