i'm a former STPMer...

well... here's my advice...

got brain = aim for STPM

got $$ = aim for IPTS ( A-level / Foundation / Ausmat / Matriks )

some private colleges... if ur SPm / STPM result superb... then u can apply for their SCHOLARSHIPs...

newspaper also got scholarship mah... THE STAR / NEWS STRAIT TIMES / SIN CHEW JIT POH n ETC.

my college got scholarship holders from those newspapers...