College 101
11 Ways (Besides Bank Robbery) to Pay for College Article Type: Top 10
You're a smart cookie. We can tell. Why not put those smarts to work for you, instead of keeping them in your elaborately locked diary?
Merit scholarships are sometimes available to students with good grades and a history of extracurricular activities. Schools might require you to write an essay before granting you one of these babies, though (source). Better sharpen those writing skills.