In this day and age, more and more students are seeking out financial aid assistance. These funds can come from the federal government and many other sources too. Nearly all college students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid because they are likely to receive some assistance. However, others might need to try some other method for funding their education. Fortunately, there are plenty of options. No student needs to do this all by themselves when it comes to paying for school. Of course, the regular channel for financial aid is through the government. The federal government offers billions of dollars in loans, grants, and other programs for students attending a college or university. A student must fill out the FAFSA each year to be considered, but everything is need-based. With that in mind, all students should apply whether or not they are qualified for each and every program. Leaving out any potential source of aid is a huge mistake that can cost someone their college education. On the other hand, it is more than possible to receive funds from other sources. Various corporations, organizations, and individuals hand out scholarships or other forms of funding. Thousands of students win scholarships and grants each year from these sources. Obviously, they are different from need-based funds because a person usually needs to win them based upon merit and other skills. In any case, this is usually the best option for anyone that does not qualify for government financial aid assistance for some reason or another. It can be quite difficult to navigate through the whole process for obtaining financial aid. Many students cannot pay for an education alone, but they do not have to in most cases. For obvious reasons, nobody should skip out on applying for federal education aid programs and then privatized ones too. There is no reason that a student should fail to pursue their educational dreams as far as funding is concerned. Money can always be obtained from one source or another, so that should always be kept in mind.