Committed to College But Didn’t Get Scholarships? Here’s What You Can Still Do

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Your teen committed to college, congrats! That’s huge. But if the financial aid package came up short (or never came at all), you’re not the only one.

Nearly 40% of students don’t apply for scholarships because they assume they won’t qualify. (Sallie Mae, How America Pays for College) That means real money gets left on the table.

But here’s the good news: It’s not too late to find help. Whether you’re trying to close the gap this semester or build a plan for the year ahead, there are still smart ways to take action.

1. Call the Financial Aid Office (Yes, Even Now)

Reach out directly and ask about:

• Unclaimed or departmental scholarships

• Emergency grants or book stipends

• Open work-study or campus job positions

• Appeals, even if your financial situation hasn’t changed

  
  

Bonus questions to ask:

• “Can we be placed on a waitlist for additional aid?”

• “Do you reassess aid after the first semester based on GPA or major?”

🎯 Why it works: Aid often gets reallocated in July or August when students withdraw or defer.

2. Apply for Scholarships (Yes, Even in Summer) 

There are still open scholarships, especially local, niche, and school-specific ones. Look for awards tied to:

• Your teen’s major or career field

• Community service or leadership

• Background, identity, or lived experience

  
  

🔍 Try searching: “Scholarships for incoming freshmen + [your state]” “[Your teen’s major] + scholarships + 2025”

3. Repurpose Those College Essays 

If your teen already wrote a Common App or supplemental essay, don’t let it go to waste!

Most scholarship prompts ask about:

• Overcoming a challenge

• Academic or career goals

• Impact on others

🗂️ Start a small “essay bank” and tweak past writing for new prompts.

⚠️ Tip: ChatGPT can help group essays by theme, brainstorm edits, or find new scholarships, but don’t let it write for you. Reviewers can tell when something feels too polished. Authentic voice wins.

📌 Coming soon: Don’t Start From Scratch—How to Repurpose College Essays for Scholarships

4. Plan Ahead: Scholarships for Current College Students 

Some of the best awards open after school starts:

• Departmental scholarships

• Study abroad or research funding

• Honors program grants

• GPA- or leadership-based awards

Ask:

• “What scholarships open after the first semester?”

• “Does my teen’s major offer any internal awards?”

  
  

5. Build Momentum, Not Burnout

Strong grades and real involvement can unlock future aid. Encourage your teen to:

• Start strong in class

• Join a club or campus project

• Connect with faculty or advisors

6. Be Part of the Scholarship Support Team 

Behind every award is a support system.

You can help by:

• Setting calendar reminders

• Reviewing essays or just cheering them on

• Helping them stay motivated when the spark fades

  
  

📲 Want backup? I offer free consultations and personalized scholarship strategies. It’s not too late to get smart with funding.

🧰 Tools to Bookmark:

• SwiftStudent – Free financial aid appeal templates

• TuitionFit – See what real families are paying at your teen’s college

📣 Coming Soon: Don’t Start From Scratch—How to Repurpose College Essays for Scholarships

Your teen already did the hard work; now it’s time to reuse those college essays to win more money. From major-specific awards to second-semester scholarships, I’ll show you how to make the most of what’s already written, even after move-in day.