Coding/Script Programs?

[Rapture]

Like Chaser said, you can use Blender which is completely free. For Maya or 3DS you might be some timed trials, and their are some Student trails.
If your new to making models, don't get discouraged if your first attempts are crappy. Keep at it and practice and you will eventually get better.

To expand more on Notepad++, it doesn't help you per say make better stuff. It makes it easier to write/view anything in text format.

And if your looking for a photoshop equivalent program, try GIMP. It has more or less the same capabilities and doesn't cost anything.