<p>What has been the best way for you to get financial aid (scholarships, grants)?</p>
<p>My son got a full ride scholarship for being a very good student, NMF and applying to a school that is 2-3rd tier on the USNWR rankings.</p>
<p>He also won academic scholarships, scholarships for contests, NMF scholarship. He got full tuition grants at several schools and large grants at all his schools (~20-30k) based on both his merit and/or grades. </p>
<ol>
<li> Good grades, ECs, community service, and test scores help with academic scholarships.</li>
<li>NMF is mostly about PSAT scores I believe</li>
<li> Join teams that have scholarship awards (math,science, etc)</li>
<li> Apply for many local scholarships</li>
<li> Look to your parents employers that might offer scholarships</li>
<li> Apply to schools that would really want to attract you (ie: your safeties not your reaches)</li>
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