What if I don't win any scholarships?

<p>I've already been accepted to Shippensburg University (Pennsylvania). It was the only school I visited and the only one I applied to. I fell in love when I stepped on campus. So you can get the gist of how frightful I am of not going because of money. The thing of the matter is, this is my senior year of high school and my first year of being serious about education and future. Near the end of my junior I exited a bad chapter of my life that included a long history of bad grades, depression, and family estrangement. I now live in a much better and safer place and I am revved to regenerate my life.</p>

<p>However, I don't think scholarships and grants think much of that.</p>

<p>I have never done volunteer work and I wouldn't have time to. I have a job as a hostess at a restaurant; I attend cyber-school; I'm learning to play the accordion; I host an online radio show (I'm going to major in Communications at Ship, with a concentration in Broadcast Media). I have so many other things going for me right now and I couldn't be happier! I have never had the chance to do these things in my "past life" - I just wish scholarships would see how motivated I am <em>now</em>. I understand how it would be difficult to believe someone with a lacking student history such as I do, but, ugh, have a little faith? Sorry. I'm venting.</p>

<p>But back to the matter at hand.</p>

<p>What happens when I don't receive a single scholarship award? Despite applying for one or three per day? I don't want to give my future over to luck or put myself against a thousand other students eager for the same thing. It's driving me crazy with worry.</p>

<p>Also, is there a limit on loans? Ship is typically a $12,000 per year school. So it's not so bad next to Messiah College which is $30,000 or...Ivy League schools.</p>

<p>In addition to the scholarship applications, you need to talk to the financial aid office at Shippensburg and find out if it is too late to file the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid. They can advise you about student loans too. You also could consider doing a year or two at one of the community colleges that have transfer agreements with Shippensburg. Someone in the Shippensburg admissions office can advise you about that.</p>

<p>make sure you apply for PA grants as well <a href="http://www.pheaa.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.pheaa.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Everyone is at the very least eligible for a 3500 (un)subsidized student loan. But you must file a fafsa. Depending on income, you could get perkins loan and/or a pell grant</p>