<p>So I currently go to a really pricey private school. I'm on a debate scholarship that covers 40% of tuition. I intensely detest debate though and want to quit. However, I need the money and some more since after this spring semester I have to pay for school myself. </p>
<p>So this is where my question comes in. There are several scholar programs in my university. However, they only offer them to freshman and transfer students. Also there are some academic departmental scholarships offered only to freshman and transfer students. Also transfer students also pay less tuition. </p>
<p>The issue with the two scholar programs is that I know they don't have enough people who apply. Every year they do mass recruitment. Do you think I could possibly convince them to let me to join or give me some of those departmental scholarships? Should I just transfer out and transfer back in to get those scholarships?</p>
<p>Hi ZombieDante- Many scholarships are gifts from donors who specify strictly what they are to be used for. Freshman and Transfer scholarships are designated that way in order for the school to recruit students to the school. If it was possible to award them to existing students, then it would state that. In order for it to be fair, all qualifed students would need to be able to apply. The school could not just allow it to be designated to you, so that is not a likely option.
Transferring is also a risk. You have no idea who else is applying that year, and if they would choose you out of that pool. You might be readmitted, but would possibly lose the debate scholarship and not get another one. The other scholarships also have requirements, such as community service, that may be as time consuming as debate. The school awarded you the debating scholarship because it felt you would be an asset to the team, but this does not mean they would choose you for a different one.
In a way, a scholarship is like a job. The donor awards money to students who can enhance the school in some way. Even when parents pay tuition, they expect a student to do their work. As stradmom mentioned, not everybody likes all aspects of their job, but they do it because it benefits them and their employer, and possibly the world. You might not like debate, but you can like some aspects about it: making new friends, enhancing the school, and building valuable skills. If you let your dislike show, and do a mediocre job, the faculty and staff will notice. They will also notice if you do a great job, and who knows, they might recommend you for something in the future. It’s only been a semester, it could get better. And 40% tuition is a very generous benefit. Nothing not to like about that.
My advice would be to make the most of what you have, do the best job you can as a debater, and be the best student you can be. This is the most likely path to opening up new opportunities in the future.</p>
<p>Thank you both for the advice. My main issue isn’t with debate, but with the fact that without my parents helping me pay next fall I won’t be able to afford it. I just need some type of aid to help me pay for it.</p>
<p>Why are you losing parent support? What has changed? (I’m assuming you weren’t foolish enough to start at a college with no idea how to pay for your second year.) If there has been a serious change in your family’s financial circumstances, you may qualify for more need-based aid. If there has been a family rift, this is the time to repair it. One thing is certain–money isn’t going to fall out of the sky, so now may be the time to apply to transfer to an affordable alternative.</p>
<p>ZombieDante- have you talked with financial aid about your situation? What happened with your parents? Like MommaJ said, if something has changed with them, then the school could renegotiate it. However, if their situation has not changed, but they are not paying, then it you are in a difficult place, and will need to come up with another plan. I know that would be a disappointment.</p>
<p>ZombieDante- It’s important that you speak to financial aid asap to discuss the medical bills and any other scholarships you might be eligible for.</p>
<p>sigh…Alright. I’m really nervous and shy, esp since I’m doing this all alone. If I bring this up to my parents at all they flip out and put it off…I should do it in person shouldn’t I? Or will an email suffice?</p>
<p>Definitely go in person. Complicated situations can be even more complicated over email, and you’re going to want to get things clear. Have FA follow up with a email confirming what they’ve discussed, so you have a paper trail after the fact.</p>
<p>Go in person. They may ask you to make an appointment. If they do, then come back for it. E mail isn’t sufficient for you to have this discussion. Colleges don’t discuss personal conversations with parents in general, but since financial aid involves them, you would need to include them later. FAFSA has to be done each year, and they may need to update this years.
Talk to them yourself first, so you know what your options are.</p>
<p>So here is my plan…Once school starts up I’m going to go to FA and make an appointment to talk to them. Meanwhile, in case things don’t work out I’m going to apply to transfer to another cheaper school. Right now I have to take ~26k out in loans each year if I want to stay here, which is why it is a big deal to me to get these scholarships. I’m still planning on emailing the scholarship programs to see if they could let me into the application pool and give me any money that is left over (I’ll word it much better than that). It won’t hurt to ask, right?</p>
<p>It won’t hurt to ask about scholarships, and there may be scholarships that you don’t know about. However, in general, they are not in abundance, and unfortunately students can find themselves in your position. It is also important that you apply to transfer to less expensive schools- and you are, and if they are available- apply for any scholarships at those schools that you might qualify for as well. Seems you have a good plan so far.</p>