If you lost a scholarship because of your GPA, start by reading the scholarship’s renewal terms and calling the office that manages it, often the financial aid office. Many scholarships allow an appeal for serious circumstances, a probation term, or reinstatement once grades recover. Then work with financial aid to cover the gap and make sure your federal and state aid stays protected.
Why do students lose scholarships?
Most scholarships come with renewal conditions. Common reasons for losing one:
- GPA below the minimum, either for one term or cumulatively.
- Too few credits completed, often because of withdrawals or failed courses.
- Dropping below full time. See how many credits to take per semester.
- Changing to a major the scholarship does not cover.
- Missing a renewal step, such as a form, essay, service hours or the FAFSA.
- A conduct or academic integrity outcome. See academic integrity violations.
Scholarships from a college, a state and a private organization each have their own rules. State merit programs in particular vary widely and change often. See state merit scholarships and check with the state agency or your financial aid office.
Can a scholarship be appealed or regained?
Often, but not always. Read the terms closely and look for:
- An appeal process for documented circumstances such as illness, a family emergency or a death in the family.
- A probation or grace term during which the student keeps the award while raising the GPA.
- Reinstatement once the GPA is back above the minimum, sometimes at a later checkpoint.
- Permanent loss, which some awards specify once requirements are missed.
Writing an appeal
- Meet the deadline. Appeal windows can be short.
- Explain what happened briefly and factually, with documentation where possible.
- Show what has changed: schedule, support, habits, health care, work hours.
- Include a concrete plan for the next term, ideally reviewed by an adviser.
- Keep the tone accountable, not defensive.
Our guide to the financial aid SAP appeal covers a similar process for federal aid, and academic dismissal appeals covers appeals for continued enrollment.
How can a student cover the gap?
- Meet with the financial aid office. Ask what options exist for the coming term and whether your aid package can be reviewed. If family finances have changed, mention it.
- Apply for other scholarships, including department and private awards that consider current students.
- Look at work options, such as campus jobs. See working while in college.
- Ask about payment plans to spread costs across the term.
- Be careful with borrowing. Understand any loan before accepting it, and start with the financial aid office and studentaid.gov.
- Consider lower-cost options, such as a term at a community college, only after confirming credits will transfer. See transfer credits.
A mentor or a website cannot tell you which option fits your finances. The financial aid office can.
Protect the rest of your aid
- Check satisfactory academic progress. The same low GPA that cost a scholarship can put federal aid at risk.
- Complete the FAFSA every year. See financial aid basics.
- Avoid more withdrawals without talking to financial aid first. See dropping a class.
- Look at retakes if a failed course is dragging the GPA down. See retaking a class.
- Build a GPA recovery plan. See how to raise your college GPA.
Where a mentor helps
Getting a scholarship back usually depends on steady grades over one or two semesters. A mentor helps a student turn the appeal plan into weekly habits, meet renewal deadlines and keep attendance and study time on track, with check-ins between sessions. Mentors are not financial aid advisers. With the student’s permission, family members get regular updates. Learn more about mentoring for college students.
Related
- Bad first semester of college
- Academic probation
- How to tell your parents about academic probation
- All college success guides
- Double Major vs Minor: How to Decide
Common questions
Can I get my scholarship back after losing it?
Many scholarships allow reinstatement once the GPA is back above the minimum, and some allow an appeal. Others are lost permanently. The terms of the award decide.
Does losing a scholarship affect my federal aid?
Not directly, but the low grades behind it can affect satisfactory academic progress, which federal aid requires. Ask the financial aid office where you stand.
Should I tell my parents I lost a scholarship?
Usually yes, and sooner is better, especially if they help pay. Bring a plan. See when a college student hides grades.
Can I transfer to a cheaper college instead?
It can make sense, but check how credits transfer and what aid is available first. See transferring colleges.
Get started
Working to win back a scholarship and want weekly accountability? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.