Receiving a financial aid offer is an important step, but the offer may not cover every cost associated with attending college. Before choosing how to close the difference, identify which gap you are trying to solve. Your school bill generally includes direct institutional charges, such as tuition and required fees. Your broader education budget may also include housing, food, transportation, books, supplies, and personal expenses.
Compare your current student account statement with aid that is accepted and scheduled to disburse. Separate grants and scholarships from work-study earnings and loans: work-study must be earned over time, and loans must be repaid with interest. If a remaining balance or budget shortfall still exists, the following options may help. Availability and eligibility vary, and additional aid is not guaranteed.
1. Seek Out Scholarships
Scholarships generally do not need to be repaid when their terms are met. They may be based on financial need, academic achievement, field of study, community service, employment, geographic location, personal background, or other criteria established by the provider. Some awards can be used only for tuition or other specified expenses, so review the conditions carefully.
Possible sources include:
your school's financial aid office, academic department, or scholarship portal;
your state higher education agency;
the U.S. Department of Labor's free CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder;
a high school counselor, college-access program, or TRIO program;
community foundations and nonprofit, religious, civic, and professional organizations;
local employers, your employer, or a parent's employer; and
reputable, free scholarship search tools.
Many scholarships require a separate application and do not use the FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA® for the correct award year when federal, state, school, or scholarship aid may require it. For the 2026-27 award year, the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state, school, and scholarship deadlines may be much earlier. Start early, follow each provider's instructions, and avoid offers that guarantee an award or request payment or bank information merely to secure a scholarship.
2. Talk to Your School's Financial Aid Office
Ask the financial aid office to review your offer with you line by line. Confirm:
which items are grants and scholarships;
whether work-study or loans are included;
which aid you have accepted, declined, or still need to complete;
whether your enrollment status, program, housing plan, or outside aid has changed;
when each source is expected to disburse; and
whether institutional grants, state aid, emergency assistance, or other needs-based resources are available.
Also ask for a current student account statement and the school's cost-of-attendance budget. This can help you distinguish an amount due to the school from living or other indirect expenses. The school must follow applicable rules and available funding, so a review may not result in additional aid.
Interested in enrolling at Campus?
Our admissions advisors can answer your questions.
3. Ask About Federal Work-Study and Other Part-Time Work
Federal Work-Study provides part-time employment opportunities for eligible students at participating schools. It is not an automatic tuition credit. A student who is offered work-study generally must accept the award, find and obtain an eligible job, and earn wages by working. Positions and funding are limited and are not guaranteed.
Work-study wages are usually paid through a regular paycheck and may be more useful for ongoing expenses than for a bill due immediately. Ask about job availability, the hiring process, pay schedule, permitted hours, and whether the school allows wages to be directed to the student account. If work-study is not available, a regular part-time job may help, but consider how work hours could affect attendance and academic progress.
4. Consider Contributions From Family
A parent, guardian, grandparent, or other relative may be willing to help with part of the balance. Before relying on family support, agree on the amount, timing, and whether the contribution is a gift or a loan. A clear written plan can help avoid misunderstandings.
Crowdfunding is another possible source, but results are uncertain. Review platform fees, privacy settings, payment timing, and terms before creating a campaign. Tell the financial aid office about outside scholarships or sponsorships, and ask whether any other outside support needs to be reported under the school's or aid provider's rules.
5. Review Student Loan Options Carefully
Before borrowing more, ask the financial aid office whether federal loans are already included in your offer and whether you have any remaining eligibility. The amount available can depend on the type of loan, your grade level, dependency status, prior borrowing, cost of attendance, other aid, enrollment intensity, and school or program limits. Current federal rules may reduce or restrict additional borrowing, particularly for students enrolled less than full time and for some parent, graduate, or professional borrowers.
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans generally require at least half-time enrollment. Eligible subsidized loans generally do not accrue interest while the borrower is enrolled at least half time or during the applicable grace period. Interest on unsubsidized loans begins accruing when the loan is disbursed. Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans generally do not require a credit check or cosigner, although Direct PLUS Loans have separate credit requirements.
Private education loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and other lenders. Their rates may be fixed or variable, and eligibility may depend on credit or a cosigner. Before using a private loan, compare the annual percentage rate, fees, repayment start date, monthly payment, total repayment cost, hardship options, cosigner obligations and release terms, and treatment in cases of death or disability. Federal loans generally provide borrower protections and repayment options that private loans may not offer. Borrow only what you reasonably need and can expect to repay.
6. Request a Financial Aid Review or Adjustment
A FAFSA error and a change in financial circumstances are handled differently. If information on your FAFSA is incorrect, review your FAFSA Submission Summary and make the appropriate correction or ask the school for guidance.
If the FAFSA no longer reflects your family's current situation, ask the financial aid office about a special-circumstances review, sometimes called a professional judgment review or aid adjustment. Examples may include:
job loss, reduced work, or a substantial decrease in income;
divorce or separation;
the death, illness, or incarceration of a family member;
high unreimbursed medical or dental expenses;
unusual dependent-care expenses; or
another documented change affecting the family's ability to pay.
The school will apply its own process and may request statements, legal or court records, employment information, medical-expense documentation, or other evidence. The review is case-specific, the school's decision is final for federal professional judgment purposes, and an adjustment or additional award is not guaranteed. Separate policies and deadlines may apply to satisfactory academic progress appeals, scholarship appeals, or disputes about how an award was calculated.
7. Ask About a Tuition Payment Plan
The school's student accounts, billing, bursar, or cashier's office may offer an installment plan for a remaining institutional balance. A payment plan can spread charges across several due dates, but it does not reduce the total amount owed.
Before enrolling, review any down payment, enrollment or finance charge, credit requirement, automatic-payment terms, late fees, missed-payment consequences, cancellation rules, and refund treatment. Confirm whether the plan covers only tuition and fees or other charges as well. At Campus, payment arrangements are subject to approval and applicable terms and may depend on credit considerations.
Pursue a Degree at Campus: A New Kind of College
Campus is committed to helping prospective and current students understand available funding options and the application process. Campus Financial Aid Specialists can explain federal, state, institutional, and other resources that may be available to eligible students. For financial aid questions, contact FinancialAid@campus.edu. For billing statements and student-account questions, contact studentaccounts@campus.edu.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA® and other applicable requirements. Awards vary based on financial need, program, enrollment status, available funding, and federal, state, and institutional rules. Campus does not guarantee financial aid eligibility, award amounts, additional funding, or loan approval.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Information was reviewed on July 19, 2026. Financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, deadlines, award amounts, loan limits, and application procedures may change. Students should consult StudentAid.gov, the applicable state aid agency, their school's financial aid office, and the current Campus Catalog before making enrollment or borrowing decisions. Loans must be repaid with interest, and payment plans may include fees, credit requirements, and other conditions.
Sources
Official, government, and institutional sources reviewed July 19, 2026.
1. U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, “7 Options if You Didn't Receive Enough Financial Aid”, accessed July 19, 2026.
2. U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, “8 Things You Should Know About Federal Work-Study”, accessed July 19, 2026.
3. U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, “Direct Subsidized Loans vs. Direct Unsubsidized Loans”, accessed July 19, 2026.
4. U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, “2026-27 FAFSA® Form”, accessed July 19, 2026.
5. U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, “Get Scholarship Help With These Basics and Tips”, accessed July 19, 2026.
6. Federal Trade Commission, “How To Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams”, accessed July 19, 2026.
7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “Choosing a Loan That's Right for You”, accessed July 19, 2026.
8. U.S. Department of Education, Federal Register, “Reimagining and Improving Student Education - Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations”, accessed July 19, 2026.
9. Campus, “Campus Catalog 2026-27 and Consumer Disclosures”, accessed July 19, 2026.