I don’t even know where to start. I feel like I’m on the verge of a breakdown. I grew up in a small town on a reservation in Arizona, and college prep at my high school was basically non-existent. I had to teach myself everything about applying to college by staying up late, watching videos, and Googling stuff.
I focused mostly on scholarships since I graduated 2nd in my class and chose to major in Pharmacology & Toxicology. I applied for the Flinn Foundation Scholarship and became a semifinalist. It’s worth $60,000 over four years, so I committed to ASU since they had my major online. I thought online classes would let me work and not have to move away from home, but that decision backfired badly.
After I committed, I found out the scholarship wouldn’t cover my program because I was an online student. They told me this after I asked, and it was too late to apply anywhere else or accept other offers. I cried for a week. I had another offer for $60,000 plus an additional $8,000 per semester from a different school, but it was already past their deadlines. I stuck with ASU and it’s been a complete disaster.
I tried applying to transfer to the other school, but transfer students don’t get much aid. Now I’m moving across the country to this new school with no scholarships or savings, and I have no idea what to do. Are there any scholarships I can still apply for? Should I appeal for more aid? I just feel like my high school failed me by not helping us find scholarships like Coolidge or QuestBridge. I only learned about the Coolidge scholarship after its deadline! Did I just have really bad luck? Please help.
If you got offers like those, you’ve got strong academics. Maybe highlight some other skills, like leadership or sports, to stand out for scholarships. Also, look into scholarships for Native Americans specifically. Contact the second school to explain your situation and see if they’ll reconsider your aid package.
In the meantime, apply to schools with solid funding that match your GPA range. And definitely apply for FAFSA if you haven’t already!
Kim said:
What was so bad about ASU? Can you explain?
The scholarship thing was the first issue. They didn’t even tell me until I asked, and by then it was too late to switch plans. They said I could switch to in-person classes to keep the scholarship, but I wasn’t prepared to move.
The classes themselves were awful. Professors didn’t teach; everything was up to TAs who were rude and unhelpful. For example, in my Statistics class, we had to teach ourselves because the videos made no sense, and the TA didn’t explain anything. The school also has barely any scholarships for online students, and their financial aid staff was just rude. One woman straight-up lied and said she was on vacation when she wasn’t!
It’s not just about the money either. The curriculum at ASU isn’t great for my major. They only have one math class for my program, while the school I’m transferring to has more advanced courses. I want to feel prepared when I graduate, so I’m making the switch.
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I don’t have much advice, but don’t give up! I got a full ride as a transfer student to a private school, so it’s possible, but I’m not sure if our financial situations are the same.
Try talking to the financial aid office at your new school. Explain your situation and ask if there are other scholarships you can apply for. In the meantime, search for small external scholarships through sites like Fastweb or the College Board. Even small amounts can add up.
Hang in there—it’s hard and lonely, but you’ve got this.