I Almost Dropped Out of College Twice, Here’s How I Prevented It
The email from the bursar's office sat unopened in my inbox for three days. I already knew what it said – I was $12,000 short for the upcoming semester, and my financial aid package couldn't cover it. My part-time jobs barely paid for my textbooks, and my family had already stretched their resources paper-thin. The thought that kept circling my mind was both simple and devastating: "I might have to drop out."
That moment, sitting in my dorm room with tears threatening to spill, felt like the end of my college journey. But looking back now, it was actually the beginning of something incredible – my scholarship success.
Let me take you back to where it all started.
Like many students, I entered college with a mix of federal aid, student loans, and a lot of hope. The first year went smoothly enough, but as tuition increased and unexpected costs piled up, the math stopped adding up. By the beginning of my sophomore year, I was facing a massive financial gap that threatened to derail everything I'd worked for.
Photo of Me Freshman Year of College
That night, after finally opening the bursar's email, I called my mom. Her voice was heavy with worry as we discussed options. Loans? We'd already maxed those out. Another job? I was already struggling to balance work and studies. The conversation ended with a painful silence that spoke volumes about our shared helplessness.
I spent the next week in a fog, half-heartedly attending classes while the weight of my financial situation pressed down on me. Statistics show I wasn't alone – according to recent data, financial stress causes countless students to abandon college each year. I was about to become another number in those statistics.
The Turning Point
Everything changed when I attended a campus financial aid workshop. The speaker, a senior who had won over $50,000 in scholarships, shared her systematic approach to finding and winning awards. Her words hit me like a lightning bolt: "Applying for scholarships is a numbers game. The more you apply for, the better your chances of winning."
That night, I made a decision. Instead of giving up, I would treat scholarship applications like a part-time job. I developed a system:
Dedicated two hours every morning to scholarship searches
Created a master essay that I could adapt for different applications
Set up a spreadsheet to track applications and deadlines
Focused heavily on local and state-specific opportunities
The Strategy That Changed Everything
Overtime, it turns out, the speaker was wrong. Applying to as many as possible was not the perfect strategy. I discovered that while national scholarships were highly competitive, local scholarships often had fewer applicants. I found awards through:
Local businesses
Community organizations
Professional associations in my field
State-specific programs
The most surprising discovery? Many scholarships went unclaimed simply because students didn't know about them or didn't take the time to apply.
I started with smaller scholarships, winning $500 here, $1,000 there. Each success built my confidence and refined my application process. I learned to tell my story compellingly, to make my essays stand out, and to demonstrate genuine passion for my education.
Through the application process, I:
Improved my writing skills
Built valuable connections with scholarship providers
Gained confidence in my abilities
Learned persistent goal-setting
Developed strong time management skills
Lessons Learned
Looking back, here are the key insights that made the difference:
Consistency is crucial. Small daily actions add up to significant results.
Local scholarships often offer better odds than national ones. (Easier to find with this tool!)
Every rejection teaches you something valuable for the next application.
Your story matters – authentic, personal essays resonate with selection committees. (The Full Ride Framework is clutch for this!)
Organization and tracking systems are essential for managing multiple applications.
Where I Am Now
Today, I'm proud to say I not only stayed in college but graduated debt-free and (Summa Cum Laude)! The skills I developed during my scholarship journey have proven invaluable in my life after graduation.
To students facing similar challenges: Don't let financial stress force you to give up on your education. Scholarships are out there – more than you might think. Yes, it takes work. Yes, it can feel overwhelming. But with persistence and the right strategy, you can find the funding you need.
Remember, every scholarship winner started exactly where you are now – wondering if it was possible. I'm here to tell you it is. Your college dream doesn't have to end. Mine didn't, and yours doesn't have to either.
A Photo of Me with The Keynote Speaker at Graduation and the President of Jacksonville University
