Every student wants a scholarship for Christmas over their two front teeth, but studies show that only 50 percent of college students can expect to receive free financial aid for college in 2011 and 2012. The competition is cut-throat. While you can find opportunities for financial aid, it’s mostly loans you’ll have to pay back. The free money takes early birds. Follow these tips to land the scholarship that skips those student loans.

Widen the Scholarship Search:
Pell grants aren’t keeping up with tuition. Many states are cutting scholarship programs, making it difficult for financial aid to completely cover the cost of tuition. Keep a wide base when looking for scholarship opportunities. Look towards local organizations, as many of these will invest in scholarships that offer financial aid for college as a means of supporting their communities. The Internet is a great resource for finding those little known opportunities.

Study Harder:
As resources get tighter, the competition heats up. Getting the scholarships means you have to be that much ahead of the rest of your peers who are studying diligently and pursuing extra-curricular activities.

Public Service Professions May Be Paid for:
Certain public service professions are eligible for free financial aid for college, thanks to legislation passed in 2010 that was designed to make these professions more appealing. Those in these public sectors are required to make payments on their loans for 10 years. After that, they are eligible to have the remaining debt forgiven. You can also apply for a federal based income payment plan, which caps the payments at 15 percent of your discretionary income.

Apply Early:
No matter the deadline, always apply for financial aid for college early, especially when applying for financial aid. The best scholarships go fast, and competition is fierce. These grants are given out on a first come first served basis, so its best to be first in line by applying early in the year.

Don’t Panic Over the Price Tag:
At first glance, the price tag of tuition can be very overwhelming, but relax. If you have a limited income, you likely won’t have to pay for all of it. Most families don’t have to pay the full price to an ivy league school. Plus, financial aid packages can take care of a majority of the tuition. You may have to provide the rest, either through student loans. Sometimes, a tuition bill hanging over your head makes the best excuse to study.

Ray Stabler is the author of this article and is a very educated individual when it comes to financial aid for college, especially since Rutgers financial aid programs allowed him to get through college in the first place.