Tell me about getting into grad school - I'm getting my Poli-Sci degree in December, and want more!

Right now is about the time to start looking into grad school if I want to get enrolled for fall of next year.

I do have an issue that makes it harder to get in, but at the same time, I'm fairly confident that I've taken action to address it.

The issue is my first degree, a bachelors in Computer Science. Blame it on youthful stupidity, but my GPA was not so very good - in the low 2's.

The problem is that even though it's been nine years since I graduated with the first degree, I've come back to that university to get my second degree, so that bad cumulative GPA is a ball & chain for me. At the same time, when I went to work on my Political Science degree, I've been motivated, I'm gonna be able to graduate with the second degree after only three semesters - last semester, I got a 3.8, this semester, my GPA will most likely be similarly high, and I see no reason why I wouldn't be able to repeat the feat this fall, giving me a major GPA in the 3.8 range, even though my cumulative GPA sucks.

I imagine I can explain myself sufficiently in my application essays, I can probably get in if I got a decent GRE score, and I've already got professors and employers who would be more than happy to write letters of recommendation. I think I've got a good chance, but I'm wondering how good of a chance.

So what are the really good schools for getting a Masters or PhD in Political Science (or International Studies)? What kind of schools am I likely to get into? Will I have to settle for second-rate or safety schools? Will I be able to get scholarships, fellowships or financial assistance so I don't have to make my mountain of student loan debt even bigger? And what about international schools? It's been suggested to me, and there are poli-sci & int'l studies Masters/PhD programs in Europe, especially the UK, Denmark and Sweden, that are in English. Can I get in one of those?

What should I be working on right now to get this ball rolling?

Political campaign or other polysci related experience ... kind words from recognized professors ... good writing skills and good standard test scores

and I can mention my volunteering with the Obama campaign as well.

Being from Colorado, one school I'm looking at is DU in Denver, since it's pretty prestigious, but it has very insanely high tuition, compared with the state schools.

There's also the problem with state gov't budget cuts affecting the state schools, including CSU where I'm going as an undergrad. When the state cuts the budget for the state schools, they respond by jacking up tuition. It's a problem.

Would I qualify for scholarships, grants or fellowships given my situation? I wasn't able to qualify for much as a second bachelor's student, but I'm wondering if I'll qualify for more as a grad student?