Hello I saw you on reddit and have a question
What can I do if some of my financial aid does not come through? Getting ready for my first year at UC Santa Barbara but its scary when I still keep seeing cuts in student aid. I am the first in my family to go to college. We dont have extra money laying around if you know what I mean, after aid, its going to be rough. What do I do if my aid falls short, gets cut or is not enough to cover everything? Any suggestions? The closer I get to starting, the more nervous I get. Thank you for helping - Queenie
30 Views
Good morning Queenie. I completely understand your situation. I am a first-year college student myself and know what it's like to be uncertain about your financial aid situation. That being said, I am more than happy to help you! Here is what you can do:
Work-study- An extra form of financial assistance that can help you cover additional expenses is work-study. Work-study is a form of financial aid where students work on campus and receive a hourly wage to pay for college expenses and/or accumulate extra money. After looking at UC Santa Barbara's website, there is a work-study program that you can inquire about. Anyone is allowed to apply for a work-study position as long as their FAFSA shows that they have sufficient financial need.
Scholarships- There are many scholarships that are readily available to you. They are usually available year-round and are privately funded (not government funded). They can help lessen your financial contribution and/or provide you with left over funds that you can put towards other expenses.
Paid Internships- During the summer, you can apply for paid internships. These internships provide you with work experience in your preferred field and extra funds for college.
Loans- As a last resort, you should apply for a loan. Loans can help cover the remainder of your expenses if the above options do not work out for you. The easiest loans to get are the federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Your FAFSA results will tell you if you are eligible for these funds. Also, there are private student loans (not government funded) that you can use. These are given by credit unions and banks.
I hope this information will help you prosper financially during college. I know there is a lot of uncertainty with college financial aid but continue to stay encouraged. Remember that the AADHE is here to help you. With the above financial aid resources, your financial stress will be reduced.
— Onyx Gaston