I’m not sure I will be able to return to college in the fall, as my family’s finances have changed drastically. What can I do to stay in school?

Unfortunately, financial pitfalls and collapses can strike at any time, even despite the best of preparation. It’s not terribly uncommon for students to be thrown into a state of financial uncertainty while they’re in college, and it can be difficult to sort through the financial issues in time to cover the next tuition bill. If this happens to you, here’s what you should do.

Talk to your financial aid office. Explain to them your financial situation, and emphasize that it’s pretty dire. Show them financial cause and keep a line of communication open with your aid officer: with any luck, you will be able to work something out that enables you to keep attending school until you’re back on your financial feet again. They will understand that you are in a financial emergency, and should be willing to help.

If the aid office is not helpful, or you still need more to cover costs until your finances are back online, explore other sources of funding. Hunt for scholarships and other aid options. Exhaust your federal aid options, and if you need to, consider a private student loan.

Nobody wants to experience dire financial straits, but it happens, and often without warning. Have a backup plan just in case everything goes south, both for day-to-day finances as well as tuition. Here’s hoping you’ll never have to put that plan into place.