i graduated from usc in 2004 (business)... cumulative gpa was like 3.98 (i did better each year - freshman - 3.4, sophmore & junior - 4.0; senior year - 4.4). although colleges don't really look at senior year grades unless you bomb, it pays to kick butt your last year when applying for scholarships... all my classmates let up after they got admitted, that's when i excelled (work while your competitor sleeps)...
there are lots of scholarships given out for your race, socioeconomic status, by state, etc... just look it up on google...