How to Get More Financial Aid if There is a Gap in Your Funding

You've been accepted at your dream school, but there's just one problem — they haven't given you enough financial aid. What do you do if your college dreams are in jeopardy because you don't have the money to pay for your school of choice?

Don't panic! There are a number of ways that you can help make up the funding gap. Here are a few ideas:

1. Contact the Financial Aid Office
2. Appeal Your Award Letter
3. Sign Up for a Payment Plan
4. Apply for Scholarships
5. Get a Job
6. Take Out Student Loans

1. Contact the Financial Aid Office

Call the school's financial aid office and tell them about your dilemma. If it could affect your ability to accept their offer, the school might be able to help you by providing extra funding or suggesting alternative funding sources. They might also have additional financial aid or scholarship money available from students who have declined their offers. When it comes to how to get more financial aid money, being proactive is key.

2. Appeal Your Award Letter

If your circumstances have changed since you submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®), you may be able to get more financial aid money. You have options to appeal your award with the school. Job loss or a change in income, divorce or separation, high medical expenses or other special circumstances that affect your family's finances are worth discussing with the school. You'll likely have to submit additional documentation, but it could mean that you end up getting more financial aid.

3. Sign Up for a Payment Plan

Some colleges offer payment plans for those who can't pay all of the semester's tuition and residence fees at once. If this could help you, contact your school's bursar's office to see what payment options are available.

4. Apply for Scholarships

Wondering how to get more financial aid money from outside sources? It's never too late to apply for scholarships. While many scholarship deadlines are in the fall, there are some scholarships that aren't dispersed until later in the academic year. To find them, use online resources like the Discover^® Student Loans Free Scholarship Search and ask your guidance counselor or financial aid office if there are any scholarships available in your community or at your school. Your parents' employers might also offer scholarships. Apply for any awards that you qualify for, even if they're for small amounts. Every little bit helps and generally fewer people apply for small awards, increasing your chances of winning.

5. Get a Job

When your attempts to figure out how to get more financial aid money have been exhausted, it's time to get to work. You might have hoped to spend your summer relaxing or working unpaid internships to gain experience, and you might not have planned to work part-time during the school year. Still, a paying job could help make up your funding gap. If you have a special skill, like graphic design, offer your services to local businesses. You can also look for traditional part-time jobs or paid internships to work throughout the year.

6. Take Out Student Loans

If you are still looking for ways to cover college costs, consider federal student loans if they were included in your award letter. Compare federal and private student loans and choose the loan(s) that best fit your needs. Both federal and private student loans offer in-school deferment, so payments won't be required until 6 months after you graduate (or drop below half-time enrollment). Just remember that interest may continue to accrue even if payments aren't due, so if you can make even small monthly payments, it will help reduce the overall loan cost.

You Have Options

While a gap between your funding package and what you and your family can afford to pay for college might justifiably cause you stress, know there are options that can help you make up the difference. 

^{FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Education and is not affiliated with Discover® Student Loans.}