You don’t need a paid professional to help you participate in Federal and state aid programs. In fact, the financial aid office at your college of choice is there to help you accomplish those exact tasks.
This isn’t to say there aren’t professionals out there who know the scholarship world like the back of their hand. If you can truly find one of these professionals, and you have a student that may qualify for more obscure scholarships, this may be a great person to have in your corner.
When it comes to choosing one of these professionals, the best method is going to be a solid referral from someone who has already used them. Ask other parents and financial professionals if they’ve worked with anyone worthy of your trust.