If the word "tuition" makes you break out in a nervous sweat, you need to take a breath. Believe it or not, finding scholarships is not impossible. Let us show you the rules of the game.

It's every parent's worst nightmare. The tuition bill from YouGotIn University arrives in the mail with more zeros than the national debt. Whatever happened to that full academic scholarship you were sure your deserving daughter would win?

How in the world will you pay for this? There are ways to soften the blow. Although college tuition is higher than ever, families at all income levels do manage to pay the bills. The key is to start your search early and stick to it, no matter how many false starts and rejections you may get. Here are the basics:

• Get a head start on college scholarship research (Internet, library, etc.) when your child enters high school.

• When your teen is in ninth grade, encourage him or her to start compiling an academic résumé including courses, credits, test scores, and extracurricular activities.

• Don't push teens to start looking for scholarships when they're just beginning high school - wait until tenth grade to involve them in theprocess. Keep track of scholarship applications, deadlines, and forms.

• Consider your family background. Some scholarships reward students with certain ethnic heritages.

• Ask your employer about scholarships for children of employees.

• Contact your church, synagogue, and other community organizations to inquire about scholarships.

• Proofread - but don't write - your teen's essay.

• Mail applications at least a month before the deadline.

• Make sure your teen sends thank-you notes to any organizations that give him or her money.

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Issue: December 2007