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If you didn't receive enough financial aid to cover the cost of attending college, you can make up the difference by reducing your expenses or looking for additional ways to pay. Combining multiple strategies may be the best option for getting your finances to a place where the math works. Here are seven possibilities to consider.
1. Appeal for More Financial Aid
If your financial aid package isn't what you hoped, you can write an appeal letter to the school's financial aid office asking for more. You'll need to explain why you're asking for more assistance. Include any special circumstances that have changed your family's financial situation since you submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), such as a job loss or serious illness.
You should also let the school know if there was an error on your FAFSA that may have affected your award, or if you received more aid from a different college or university that you want matched.
2. Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships can help offset out-of-pocket costs, and, unlike loans, you don't have to repay them. Your financial aid package should include any scholarship and grant money the schools are offering. So, you'll want to check out private scholarships, which may be available at the local, state or national level.
Online sites such as Scholarships.com, Fastweb and The College Board can help you identify potential opportunities. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when applying:
- Review the eligibility requirements carefully. Some opportunities are available to a limited pool of candidates based on demographics, athletic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, field of study and other factors. Be sure you qualify before submitting an application.
- Follow all the instructions. You may need to submit transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, essays and other supporting documentation with your application.
- Don't overlook smaller awards. You may not be able to cover the total cost of tuition with scholarship money, but smaller awards can add up and help ease your financial burden, especially if you win more than one.
- Meet all deadlines. It doesn't matter how qualified you are for a specific award. If you don't meet the deadline, your application probably won't be considered.
Learn more: How to Find Scholarships to Pay for College
3. Look Into Tuition Payment Plans
Payment plans spread out costs over a semester or term so you don't have to pay the full bill upfront. It won't reduce the amount you owe, but it can make it easier to fit the payments into your budget and help you to avoid a gap in your studies.Check with your school bursar's office to find out if this is an option at your college or university.
Most schools that offer tuition payment plans allow you to pay in three to six installments.
You don't typically pay interest when you sign up for a payment plan, but you may be charged an enrollment fee to participate, which can be substantial. Schools may also charge late and returned payment fees if you don't pay your bill on time or your payment can't be processed.
Terms and conditions of payment plans vary widely, so be sure to read the fine print before signing up.
4. Find a Part-Time Job
Part-time employment can help you earn extra cash to use for tuition and other school-related expenses without taking on additional debt. A good place to start your search is with your college or university's list of on-campus jobs. Many schools have online portals that list available openings, or you can visit the career service office in person.
If you prefer to look for jobs off campus, try to stay within walking distance of your school to reduce commute time and costs. Potential options that can help you earn money include:
- Restaurants
- Retailers
- Babysitting
- Tutoring
- Freelancing
Learn more: How to Make Money as a College Student
5. Reduce Your Expenses
It's time to get brutally honest about your spending by making a list of your expenses and classifying each one as necessary or discretionary. It's easier to reduce discretionary spending, so start there. Eliminate or significantly decrease the amount you spend on nice-to-have items to free up cash you can use for school.
Next, review how much you're spending on essentials like rent, food and utilities. You won't be able to eliminate these expenses, but you may be able to reduce the amount you're paying by trimming your grocery budget, looking for a cheaper apartment or getting a roommate you can split expenses with.
Creating a lean budget may require you to make some tough choices, but the more money you can free up to pay for tuition and related expenses, the less you'll have to borrow.
Learn more: Simple Ways to Save Money
6. Explore Other Borrowing Options
If you can't close the gap between your financial aid package and the cost to attend college in other ways, you may want to look into borrowing the money through parent PLUS loans or private student loans.
Parent PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS loans are available to parents of dependent students enrolled in college at least half-time. If your parent is approved, the funds will be sent to your school to pay tuition, fees and other expenses. The funds may cover some or all of your remaining costs. If their loan application is denied, they may be able to qualify by adding a cosigner with a solid credit history.
If no one can cosign the loan or their application is denied even with a cosigner, your borrowing limit on unsubsidized federal student loans may be increased to the amount set for independent students.
Private Student Loans
If you've reached your annual limit for federal loans, a private student loan can help cover your remaining expenses, but they don't come with the benefits of federal loans. Private student loans don't have income-based repayment plans or loan forgiveness, and it may be more difficult to qualify for a deferment or forbearance if you experience financial hardship during the repayment period.
Rates on private loans also may be higher, so consider them only after you've exhausted all other options.
Tip: Think carefully before taking on additional debt to pay for college, as it can disrupt life milestones after graduation. Almost 1 in 3 people currently repaying student loans report postponing the purchase of a home, according to Fidelity Investments' 2026 student debt report. And 32% of Gen Zers paying back student loans say they've delayed starting a family.
7. Consider Other Schools
If your current options are financially out of reach, consider attending a less expensive school, living at home to eliminate the need to pay for room and board, or attending a community college to complete your general education requirements and then transferring to a four-year institution.
Tuition and fees vary widely by school, and opting for a more affordable college or university can significantly reduce your financial burden and help you avoid high-interest debt that can derail your finances after graduation.
Here's a look at the average annual cost of tuition and fees for the 2025-26 school year by institution type, according to The College Board:
- Public two-year community college $4,150
- Public four-year in-state: $11,950
- Public four-year out-of-state: $31,880
- Private nonprofit four-year: $45,000
The Bottom Line
If your financial aid package doesn't cover your total college costs, you can make up the shortfall in multiple ways. To minimize the amount you have to repay, opt for strategies that trim expenses or increase funding that doesn't have to be repaid first, and consider additional loans as a last resort.
If you choose to apply for a parent PLUS or private student loan, boost your approval odds by knowing where your credit stands. You can check your Experian credit report for free anytime when you register with Experian, and you can get free weekly copies of your TransUnion and Equifax credit reports at Annualcreditreport.com.