How can I get the college aid I need in my situation?

I have an odd problem. My family makes very good money (above the amount that many colleges would cut-off much financial aid). But, in this position I find that if I want to go to college out of state it'll cost about $27K a year. I can't afford that even with a job, loans, and help from my parents. But my parents make too much for me to be qualified for many scholarships.
How do I find some really good scholarships and what makes someone REALLY appeal to a college?
(p.s: I already have accounts on 3 scholarship sites, including fastweb.com and scholarships.com.)
(p.p.s: I want to go into a field with zoology, ecology, biology and I'm looking at Ball State University)

Thanks.

One of the ways you can get scholarships that aren't given based on financial need is to try for those that are based on merit. You can contact Ball State and ask them if they offer anything like that. Fastweb and etc. are also good sources. You should also speak with your high school guidance counsellor.

Check for scholarships with every group you and your parents belong to, or could belong to. For example, your parents' employers, your church, and any groups formed around things like your ethnicity. For example, even if you aren't a member, if you're Irish, you can apply for scholarships via the Ancient Order of Hibernians. If you're Catholic, you can apply for those given through the Knights of Columbus. Etc.

And do apply for financial aid. Even if you only get a little, it'll still be of help.

You can sometimes get scholarships from a college if your stats exceed their averages. So if your SATs are higher than Ball State's averages, and your GPA is also high for them, they'd be more likely to offer you merit aid than they would if you have the stats of one of their normal applicants. So that's worth thinking about. I did that with several colleges, and it really worked out.

Be sure to apply to more than one college. Apply to Ball State, but also apply to several others, including the best public uni in your home state. See where you get in, and see what aid they offer you. Then, if Ball State offered you less than another school, make an appointment to speak with someone in financial aid at Ball State. Bring in the financial aid info from the other school=. Tell Ball State they are actually your #1 choice. Ask Ball State if they can match the aid of the other school, or come close. Sometimes, schools will give you a bit more in this way.