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If you get to campus and find you have unexpected costs, you can still get money to cover those expenses. Consider these four ways to quickly get student loans or other emergency financial aid.
1. Submit the FAFSA and borrow up to the federal direct loan limit
If you haven’t submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) yet, go to FAFSA.gov and do that now. This form opens the door to all federal financial aid, including federal student loans and the need-based Pell Grant.
After submitting your FAFSA online, it typically takes 1-3 business days for the Education Department to process the form and send it to your school. Your school’s financial aid office will then use the processed form to build your financial aid package. Ask your financial aid office about their turnaround time — if you’re in a time crunch, they may be able to speed up the process.
» MORE: The 2025-26 FAFSA is now open
Make sure you’re borrowing as much as you can in federal direct student loans before considering other loans. Federal loans tend to have lower rates than private student loans and don’t require a co-signer or credit check to qualify. They also offer income-driven repayment plans and other flexible payment options, plus the opportunity to qualify for student loan forgiveness.
» COMPARE: Federal vs. private student loans
The maximum amount of federal student loans you can borrow each year depends on your loan type, year in college and status as a dependent or independent student. For example, a typical first-year undergrad can borrow a maximum of $5,500, of which $3,500 can be subsidized.
Take out as much subsidized federal student loans as you can — it’s a cheaper option because it doesn’t collect interest while you’re in college. Then, borrow the maximum in unsubsidized student loans.
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2. Explore emergency loans and financial aid from your college
If you’re experiencing an unexpected event, like a parent’s job loss or a health crisis, you may qualify for emergency aid from your college. Ask your financial aid office if it offers emergency aid such as grants, vouchers, scholarships and loans.
Loans are the most common type of college emergency aid. Universities typically cap these loans between $500 and $1,000. You’ll have to pay them back within a short timeframe — between 30 and 90 days — but they’re interest-free.
Generally, you can use this type of aid for most education-related expenses. This includes tuition, fees, college housing costs, books, supplies and transportation.
If you don’t have consistent access to food due to an emergency, contact your school’s student affairs office to learn about programs such as food vouchers, scholarships, free meal plans, access to SNAP benefits and food pantries. Some schools offer emergency housing, though options are often limited.
You may also ask about alternative tuition payment plans to spread payments out over the semester or year.
3. Get last-minute money for college without loans
To quickly earn money for college without borrowing, you might try to pick up a part-time job, either on- or off-campus.
Scholarships could be an option, too — even at the last minute. Use online scholarship search tools like the Labor Department’s CareerOneStop database, contact local religious and community organizations and reach out to your college’s financial aid office.
» SEARCH: 4 places to find last-minute scholarships
4. Compare private student loan options
As a last resort — after exhausting all other funding options — consider applying for a private student loan from a bank, credit union or online lender. To qualify, you’ll typically need a credit score in the high 600s and steady income, or a co-signer who qualifies. Students with bad or no credit have a few options, as do those who don’t have a co-signer. Part-time students may also qualify for certain private student loans.
While the time between application and approval usually takes just a few minutes, the time between approval and loan disbursement varies among lenders. For example, College Ave disburses loans within seven days of application approval, while Earnest disburses loans within 10 days of approval, on average.
Contact your lender to find out the average application approval times and how quickly your loan will be disbursed. Some private student loans can also be used for past-due tuition.
Compare private student loan options to get the best rates.
» LEARN: How to get a student loan
Next steps: Stay on top of your payment status
Keeping track of your financial status with your school can help you avoid the last-minute payment scramble again.
Submit the FAFSA as soon as it opens each year along with a state financial aid application, if your state has one. This can allow you to qualify for the most financial aid possible, including grants you don’t have to repay.
Before each semester and academic year, log on to your college’s financial aid portal or contact the financial aid office to make sure your payments are up to date. You’ll usually see the status of any awards or loans, along with any communication from the financial aid office.
» DIVE DEEPER: NerdWallet’s paying for college guide
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