And here are some good grant and scholarship sites:

FedMoney.org Home

http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp

http://www.freegovmoney.net/

http://www.educationplanner.com/education_planner/paying_article.asp?sponsor=2859&articleName=Grants_and_Scholarships

http://www.studentawards.com/

http://www.college-scholarships.com/

Good luck!

Getting paperwork in early also gives you some back-up time in case you have mislaid some part of the application, or they require any clarification.

I know in my line of work – the first few applications that come in get a better review than the flurry of late applications; and I assume that holds true for scholarship applications.

some committees give you the check to send to the school, and some may want to send it to the school directly.

also, important look at scholarship deadlines, that will also tell you.