The quest to get financial aid can seem like a daunting process at first, but those who are determined and resourceful are often able to find the help they require.

Curt Trygstad, assistant vice president of national programs at Scholarship America, told ARA Content that "there are people and organizations out there" who can help people successfully land the financial aid they need - as long as they take a proactive approach.

He suggested that prospective university students should look around their communities to see what types of scholarships are available from local organizations. Often these opportunities are tailored to people in specific situations or with a particular background.

Government websites, such as federalstudentaid.ed.gov, can provide a lot of information about aid and scholarships, while many universities' web pages can also be helpful for research.

And, perhaps most importantly, people who hope to fund their studies should begin the financial aid process as soon as possible, to have time to compare different offers and to avoid being overwhelmed at the last minute.

Finaid.org advises that "there is no good excuse" for not trying to find financial aid - the resources are out there.