Ask your tutors about any funding that might be available directly from your college. It's unlikely that they'll be able to help you with large amounts of ready cash, but they should be able to help you identify ways that you can get equipment and services for free. If you're studying at a film school, it should have good relationships with local casting agents, popular film locations and online editing facilities that may give you preferential rates or offer their services free of charge.
Ask your parents to help you out. Every parent wants to see their child realize their dreams. They may have already contributed to your course fees, in which case support the career path you've taken. Approach them to ask for a loan to help you make your film. Be sure to outline how important the project is to your education and future career, and assure them honestly that you will pay the money back as quickly as possible.
Apply for as many grants as you can find. There are a number of funding bodies and film organizations throughout the U.S. that make funds available to young and aspiring film producers and directors. You'll need to put together an impressive pitch, screenplay and show-reel for most. The competition for these grants is extremely high and only the best submissions will walk away with any funding.
Talk to local business about sponsoring your production. You can offer a mention in the end credits or prominent product placement in the film itself. If you're working on a documentary or a drama centered on an important social issue, consider approaching a relevant charity or Non-governmental Organization (NGO) that may consider making funding available to help raise awareness of the subject you're dealing with.
Hold fund raising events at your college or out in the local community. Put on a screening of any previous work you've produced or talk to other artists who may be interested in supporting your project by performing or showing their work at an event to raise funds for your film.
Approach local business leaders and entrepreneurs to enquire whether they would be interested in investing in your production. Investors are always looking for new ways to realize a return on their capital and film has been identified by some as an alternative investment opportunity. You'll need to put together a business plan and prove that your film has a chance of making them a return on the money they invest. Consider approaching a number of sources to reduce the risk that each of your investors will be taking.
Take out a loan or max out your credit card. If you've really got no other option, exhausting your credit could help you raise those final few dollars. Think very carefully about committing money you're borrowing to a project that is unlikely to show any significant financial returns in the short term, though.