One year’s tuition at my alma mater, University of Southern California, costs more than what the average American family earns each year. I’m not exaggerating—the average American household takes in $44,389 annually, and my college tuition with room and board rang in at $45,212 per year.

The dollar damage is pretty substantial, but I’m actually not here to complain about the cost of my college degree. In fact, the price of my college tuition specifically isn’t really something I deserve to complain about. My strong work ethic paired with a supportive family and great teachers allowed me to excel in high school, and I earned a free ride to my in-state public college, as well as scholarships to other schools to which I applied. However I chose the most expensive school that I had applied to. I knew what I signed up for—the tuition was outrageous, but I went anyway, and now I have debt to show for it.

I surely empathize with the estimated two million academically eligible students over the past eight years who didn’t attend college just because they couldn’t afford it. College tuition costs have grown 40 percent in the past five years, and simply put, college is way too expensive. It is kind of pathetic that we haven’t been able to create a more affordable higher education system, an easier federal financial aid program, and greater access to college scholarships for academically qualified, but less financially fortunate students.

But I’m not going to join the hordes of debt-ridden students who chose to attend ridiculously overpriced colleges, proceeded to max out their credit cards on beer and materialistic items, and now whine and moan about their debts, blaming the economic crisis for their financial hardships. Stop complaining. You knew what you were signing up for, so manage your debt wisely and use that education to start a career.

The same reasoning can be applied to the bankrupt banks in America today—they spent money they didn’t have, took out loans they couldn’t afford, and signed up for more than they could handle. Just because Fannie Mae passed “Go” and collected $700 billion dollars, that doesn’t mean we all automatically deserve a “Get out of jail free” bailout after graduation.

There is free money out there for everyone–if you know where to look. Fortunately, when it comes to finding cash, we are all about shortcuts. So we’ve done some of the work for you.

Here’s our special on grants and scholarships on minorities.

Historically underrepresented groups, like African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and women have access to special grants and scholarships to even the playing field.

These grants and scholarships come from all types of sources, including the federal and state governments, colleges and universities and private donors.

What’s more important is that if you are from an underrepresented group, the schools are finally listening and that means that you can get some serious cash–especially in fields like science and business that traditionally have been lacking diversity.

Here are some that caught our attention:

The Multicultural Advertising Intern Program through the American Association of Advertising Agencies awards grants to students pursuing degrees in advertising and media communications. How’s that for race representation?

Minority students pursuing a degree in Hospitality Management may be eligible to compete for grant money sponsored by the Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students. Now that’s hospitable.

Asian-American students interested in filmmaking or television production may be eligible for grant money through the Media Action Network for Asian Americans. Students must prove merit and need to receive these $1,000 grants. Get ready for your close-up.

Hispanic business students should check out the Saludos Business Grants.

The Fellowship for Ethnic Minorities which is offered through the American Society of Criminology is intended to encourage more minority students in the areas of law and criminal justice.

If counting money is your thing, then you can count on more (money that is) if you study accounting. The AICPA Scholarships for Minority Accounting students, offers scholarships ranging between $1,500 and $5,000. Last year, 137 undergraduate and graduate students were awarded scholarships to continue their studies in accounting. 

African American students enrolled full-time in an undergraduate science or engineering curriculum may be eligible to win up to $2,000 per year (renewable for up to four years) through the Development Fund for Black students in Science and Technology.

African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander Americans or Hispanic Americans can get the Gates Millennium Scholars-scholarships for outstanding students of specific minorities. 

Ethnic minority students will receive paid multi-year internships as well as academic and guidance support through the INROADS program. Students will learn about the corporate world and undergo year-round training.

Each year, at least ten African American students receive $40,000 scholarships (in $10,000 yearly instalments) through the Ron Brown Scholars Program. But the money’s gotta be used specifically for your studies.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and The Merck Institute for Science Education Research Laboratories are offering biomedical research scholarships to at least 37 African American undergraduates, graduates and students working on postdoctoral research. In 2006, awards ranged between $25,000 and $ 85,000.

There are some serious options for grants and scholarships for minorities out there to grant you money for college.

Check out other grant options.

Scholarships are free money. Now, doesn’t that sounds tantalizing? Unlike loans, you don’t have to pay scholarships back. There’s just one catch. You might be so blinded by the possibility of free money, that it’s easy to get duped.

Grants usually come from credible sources like the federal government, the state, or the colleges themselves. But scholarships tend to come from private donors. So they become easy targets for financial con artists.

Here are some scholarship scams to beware of, in your quest for the pot of gold: 

Beware of online scholarship finders. They could just be after your information and credit card number and leave you with less money in your pockets than when you started out on your scholarship search.

These online scholarship finders often say that millions of dollars in private scholarships money goes unused each year. But in reality, individuals and institutions creates funds so that they can actually give away money to students. They are definitely not interested in keeping the secret money.

Slogans to watch out for:

“The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”

*No one can guarantee a scholarship. You usually have to compete for one. Plus, refund guarantees often have conditions so make sure to get refund policies in writing.

“You can’t get this information anywhere else.”

*Institutions with scholarships want students to apply. So they make their scholarships available through a variety of resources to get the best possible applicants. Your best bet is to research scholarships at high school or at the library before you decide to pay someone to do the work for you.

“We’ll do all the work.”

*We’ve all heard that one before. But there are no free rides in life. You have to apply for scholarships and grants yourself.

“You’ve been selected by a national foundation” or “you’re a finalist.”

*This is like the same thing as when an Internet pop-up tells you, you won a free vacation. Definitely check it out to make sure the program or the foundation is legit. 

“May I have your credit card or bank account to hold this scholarship?”

*This could lead to an unauthorized withdrawal. 

So check the credibility of the foundation and read the fine print before you commit to anything. And make sure you find cash–not lose it.