FAFSA processed twice but still $10k short - when do scholarship results come in?

Most scholarship notifications come out between March-May, with some coming as late as July. If your son applied to scholarships offered directly by the university, call their financial aid office NOW to check status. For external scholarships, many don't notify you unless you've won. For that $10K gap, look into these options: 1. Parent PLUS loan (if your credit qualifies) 2. Private student loans (usually require cosigner) 3. Contact financial aid office to request a professional judgment review if your financial situation has changed since the tax year used for FAFSA 4. Absolutely pursue work-study - that's free money! Also, make sure you've submitted any supplemental financial forms required by the college. Some private schools require the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA.

WHY would you send your kid to an out-of-state school when you clearly cant afford it?? In-state tuition is literally HALF the cost at most public universities. The financial aid system is BROKEN and they expect middle class families to somehow come up with $10K+ extra per year? Absolutely ridiculous. Your son should consider community college for 2 years then transfer. Debt isn't worth it!!

Have you tried calling the scholarship organizations directly? I applied for about 20 scholarships last year for my son and only heard back from 4 without following up. When I called the others, most said they were still reviewing applications or had already selected recipients but hadn't notified everyone. Some smaller organizations are run by volunteers who get behind on communications. Worth checking!

Former university financial aid counselor here. A few things to know: 1. Scholarship timelines vary wildly depending on the organization and selection process. Many do their selections in April-May for fall enrollment. 2. For that $10K gap, contact the financial aid office at the university and request a gap funding appointment. Many schools have reserve funds they don't advertise but can use for promising students with demonstrated need. 3. Make sure you've accepted all offered aid in your son's financial aid portal. Sometimes additional funds become available after the initial award letter. 4. If your income has changed significantly since the tax year used for FAFSA (2023 tax year for 2025-2026 aid), request a professional judgment review with documentation. 5. Ask specifically about departmental scholarships related to your son's major - these often have separate applications and deadlines. Don't give up! The system is complex but there are usually more options than what initially appears in the award letter.

One thing that helped me when trying to reach the financial aid office at my daughter's university was using Claimyr (claimyr.com). You might already know about it, but it basically holds your place in the phone queue and calls you back when an agent is available. I was spending HOURS on hold before I found it. They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ For the scholarship timeline - most of my daughter's scholarship notifications came between April-June, with a couple coming as late as July. Don't lose hope yet! Also ask the financial aid office about emergency grants or completion grants if your son is at risk of not being able to enroll due to the funding gap.

omg ur not alone!!! my son is going to college this fall too and were STILL waiting on like 15 scholarship decisions. his counselor said many dont announce until may or even june because theyre waiting on students to commit to schools first? makes no sense to me but whatever. def check ur email spam folder we found 3 responses there last week!!! good luck!!!

If you're still coming up short after scholarships are announced, consider these strategies: 1. Ask about tuition payment plans - most schools offer monthly payment options with minimal fees 2. Look into private scholarships with later deadlines - some have applications due in summer for fall enrollment 3. Consider having your son take some summer courses at a community college that will transfer, potentially reducing credits needed during regular semesters 4. Some universities offer additional scholarship opportunities for students after their first semester based on college GPA - make sure your son knows about these for future years 5. Don't overlook smaller, local scholarships through community organizations, religious groups, and employers - these often have less competition

When my daughter was in this situation, we had to make the tough choice between her dream out-of-state school and the affordable in-state option. She chose the affordable route and honestly? BEST DECISION EVER. She graduated with minimal debt and is now in her dream graduate program. Not saying your son should give up his dream school, but don't discount the extreme financial burden of that $10K gap EVERY YEAR for four years. That's $40K+ with interest if you're borrowing. Sometimes the practical choice sets them up for better long-term success and graduate school options.

As someone who works in higher education, I want to add a few more resources that might help bridge that gap: 1. Check if the university offers emergency or bridge loans - these are short-term, low-interest loans specifically for situations like yours while waiting on scholarship decisions 2. Look into cooperative education (co-op) programs in engineering - many allow students to alternate semesters of study with paid work experience, which can significantly offset costs 3. Contact the engineering department directly about research assistantships or tutoring positions - these often come with tuition remission or stipends 4. Some universities have "completion grants" or "retention scholarships" that aren't widely advertised but are available for students who might not enroll due to small funding gaps 5. Consider reaching out to alumni networks in your area - many have informal scholarship programs or mentorship opportunities that include financial support The timing is frustrating, but don't lose hope! Many families piece together funding from multiple sources, and engineering programs often have more departmental funding available than other majors. Keep advocating for your son - the squeaky wheel often gets the grease in financial aid offices.