{"id":3123,"date":"2026-10-14T14:17:49","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T19:17:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/blog\/?p=3123"},"modified":"2026-10-14T15:57:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T20:57:30","slug":"unexpected-college-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/blog\/unexpected-college-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"When the Semester Costs More Than Expected"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n  .rk-five-step-hero {\n    background: #EAF7F1;\n    padding: 40px;\n    color: #273B35;\n    font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;\n    box-sizing: border-box;\n    margin-bottom: 32px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-five-step-hero .rk-parent-label {\n    display: inline-block;\n    background: #52BE9D;\n    color: #183B30;\n    padding: 10px 18px;\n    border-radius: 30px;\n    font-size: 13px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n    line-height: 1.5;\n    margin-bottom: 24px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-five-step-hero .rk-hero-subtitle {\n    font-size: 17px;\n    line-height: 1.7;\n    color: #455B53;\n    margin: 0 0 26px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-cards {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(6, minmax(0, 1fr));\n    gap: 14px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-card {\n    grid-column: span 2;\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    background: #FFFFFF;\n    border-radius: 12px;\n    padding: 20px 18px;\n    min-width: 0;\n    box-sizing: border-box;\n    color: #52be9d;\n    font-size: 15px;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    line-height: 1.5;\n  }\n.rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-cards {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));\n  grid-auto-rows: 1fr;\n  gap: 14px;\n}\n\n.rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-card {\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  background: #FFFFFF;\n  border-radius: 12px;\n  padding: 20px 18px;\n  min-width: 0;\n  box-sizing: border-box;\n  color: #52be9d;\n  font-size: 15px;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.5;\n}\n\n  .rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-icon {\n    display: block;\n    width: 22px;\n    height: 22px;\n    flex-shrink: 0;\n    margin-right: 12px;\n    fill: none;\n    stroke: currentColor;\n    stroke-width: 1.5;\n    stroke-linecap: round;\n    stroke-linejoin: round;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 600px) {\n    .rk-five-step-hero {\n      padding: 28px 22px;\n    }\n\n    .rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-cards {\n      grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);\n    }\n\n    .rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-card,\n    .rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-card:nth-child(4),\n    .rk-five-step-hero .rk-step-card:nth-child(5) {\n      grid-column: auto;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<section class=\"rk-five-step-hero\">\n\n  <span class=\"rk-parent-label\">FOR PARENTS<\/span>\n\n  <p class=\"rk-hero-subtitle\">\n    5 steps to help your family respond to a mid-semester money gap.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"rk-step-cards\">\n\n    <!-- Step 1: Review the spending together -->\n    <div class=\"rk-step-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-step-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <path d=\"M7 10h10a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v9l-4-4H9a2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-5\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M5 14l-3 3V5a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h10a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <span>1. Review spending<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Step 2: Put a number and a date on the gap -->\n    <div class=\"rk-step-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-step-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <rect x=\"5\" y=\"2\" width=\"14\" height=\"20\" rx=\"2\"><\/rect>\n        <path d=\"M8 6h8\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M8 10h1M12 10h1M16 10h.01\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M8 14h1M12 14h1M16 14h.01\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M8 18h1M12 18h1M16 18h.01\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <span>2. Define the gap<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Step 3: Ask about campus support -->\n    <div class=\"rk-step-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-step-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <path d=\"m2 9 10-5 10 5-10 5-10-5Z\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M6 11v6c4 3 8 3 12 0v-6\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M22 9v7\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <span>3. Ask about support<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Step 4: Look for costs you can reduce -->\n    <div class=\"rk-step-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-step-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <circle cx=\"6\" cy=\"6\" r=\"3\"><\/circle>\n        <circle cx=\"6\" cy=\"18\" r=\"3\"><\/circle>\n        <path d=\"m8.2 8.2 12.8 12.8\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m8.2 15.8 12.8-12.8\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <span>4. Reduce costs<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Step 5: Review borrowing carefully -->\n    <div class=\"rk-step-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-step-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <rect x=\"2\" y=\"4\" width=\"20\" height=\"16\" rx=\"2\"><\/rect>\n        <path d=\"M2 10h20\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M6 15h4\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m14 15 2 2 4-4\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <span>5. Review borrowing<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The budget looked workable in August. But somewhere between move-in day and midterms, an unexpected bill, extra course materials, or everyday expenses created a gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That doesn\u2019t mean your family did something wrong. It means it\u2019s time to look at what changed and make a plan together. These five steps can help you decide what to do next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"font-family:'Open Sans',Arial,sans-serif;color:#30363b;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:36px;\">\n\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;width:42px;height:42px;line-height:42px;text-align:center;background:#52BE9D;color:#ffffff;border-radius:50%;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;margin-right:14px;\">\n      1\n    <\/span>\n\n    <h2 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:25px;line-height:1.3;color:#273b35;margin:0;\">\n      Review the spending together\n    <\/h2>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n    Start with a check-in, not a lecture. Pull up the original budget, recent transactions, and the student account balance. Ask your student:\n  <\/p>\n\n  <ul style=\"font-size:16px;padding-left:24px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n    <li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\">What expenses were higher than expected?<\/li>\n    <li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\">Was this a one-time surprise or a cost that will keep coming back?<\/li>\n    <li>Are there any bills or deadlines we haven\u2019t discussed yet?<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n    A car repair calls for a different response than a monthly budget that consistently falls short. Understanding the cause helps you choose a response that fits.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#EAF7F1;border-left:4px solid #52BE9D;border-radius:0 12px 12px 0;padding:22px 24px;\">\n    <p style=\"color:#206A53;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.4px;margin:0 0 8px;\">\n      TRY SAYING\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p style=\"font-size:17px;margin:0;\">\n      \u201cLet\u2019s look at what changed and what you need next. We can work through the options together.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"font-family:'Open Sans',Arial,sans-serif;color:#30363b;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:36px;\">\n\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;width:42px;height:42px;line-height:42px;text-align:center;background:#52BE9D;color:#ffffff;border-radius:50%;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;margin-right:14px;\">\n      2\n    <\/span>\n\n    <h2 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:25px;line-height:1.3;color:#273b35;margin:0;\">\n      Put a number and a date on the gap\n    <\/h2>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n    Write down the amount needed, what it covers, and when it\u2019s due. Separate urgent expenses from costs coming later in the semester.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#EAF7F1;border-left:4px solid #52BE9D;border-radius:0 12px 12px 0;padding:24px;margin-bottom:20px;\">\n\n    <h3 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;color:#273b35;font-size:21px;line-height:1.4;margin:0 0 18px;\">\n      Your family\u2019s quick check-in\n    <\/h3>\n\n    <p style=\"font-size:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #9BC8B7;padding-bottom:12px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n      <strong>What needs to be paid?<\/strong>\n      <span style=\"display:block;color:#206A53;\"><\/span>\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p style=\"font-size:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #9BC8B7;padding-bottom:12px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n      <strong>How much is still needed?<\/strong>\n      <span style=\"display:block;color:#206A53;\"><\/span>\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p style=\"font-size:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #9BC8B7;padding-bottom:12px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n      <strong>When is it due?<\/strong>\n      <span style=\"display:block;color:#206A53;\"><\/span>\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0;\">\n      <strong>Is this likely to happen again? <span style=\"display:block;color:#206A53;\"><\/span>\n <\/strong>\n      <span style=\"display:block;color:#206A53;\"><\/span>\n    <\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0;\">\n    A specific number gives your family a clearer target and helps you avoid borrowing more than you need.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<style>\n  .rk-campus-support {\n    font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;\n    color: #30363B;\n    line-height: 1.8;\n    margin-bottom: 36px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-step-heading {\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    margin-bottom: 18px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-step-number {\n    flex-shrink: 0;\n    width: 42px;\n    height: 42px;\n    line-height: 42px;\n    text-align: center;\n    background: #52BE9D;\n    color: #FFFFFF;\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    margin-right: 14px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-step-title {\n    font-family: 'Exo', Arial, sans-serif;\n    font-size: 25px;\n    line-height: 1.3;\n    color: #273B35;\n    margin: 0;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-support-grid {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));\n    gap: 16px;\n    margin: 20px 0;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-support-card {\n    background: #F4F3F2;\n    border-radius: 12px;\n    padding: 24px;\n    min-width: 0;\n    box-sizing: border-box;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-support-icon {\n    display: block;\n    width: 20px;\n    height: 20px;\n    margin-bottom: 8px;\n    color: #52BE9D;\n    fill: none;\n    stroke: currentColor;\n    stroke-width: 1.5;\n    stroke-linecap: round;\n    stroke-linejoin: round;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-support-card h3 {\n    font-family: 'Exo', Arial, sans-serif;\n    font-size: 21px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    line-height: 1.3;\n    color: #52BE9D;\n    margin: 0 0 14px;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-support-card p {\n    font-size: 16px;\n    line-height: 1.8;\n    margin: 0;\n  }\n\n  .rk-campus-support .rk-support-callout {\n    background: #EAF7F1;\n    border-left: 4px solid #52BE9D;\n    border-radius: 0 12px 12px 0;\n    padding: 22px 24px;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 600px) {\n    .rk-campus-support .rk-support-grid {\n      grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);\n    }\n\n    .rk-campus-support .rk-support-card {\n      padding: 22px;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<section class=\"rk-campus-support\">\n\n  <div class=\"rk-step-heading\">\n    <span class=\"rk-step-number\">3<\/span>\n\n    <h2 class=\"rk-step-title\">\n      Ask about campus support\n    <\/h2>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n    Encourage your student to contact campus offices before the next deadline.\n    Programs, eligibility, funding, and turnaround times vary by school.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"rk-support-grid\">\n\n    <!-- Emergency assistance -->\n    <div class=\"rk-support-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-support-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <path d=\"M12 8.5 9.8 6.3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.5-3.5L14 3.5l.7-.7a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.5 3.5L16 8.5\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m3 14 4-4h4a2 2 0 0 1 0 4H9\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m11 14 6-3a2 2 0 0 1 2 3l-7 5H7\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m2 13 5 7-2 2-5-7\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <h3>Emergency assistance<\/h3>\n\n      <p>\n        Ask the financial aid office or Dean of Students whether emergency\n        grants or other short-term assistance are available. Confirm whether\n        the assistance must be repaid.\n      <\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Basic needs support -->\n    <div class=\"rk-support-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-support-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <path d=\"m8 3-4 7M16 3l4 7\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M2 10h20\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m3 10 3 10h12l3-10\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M9 10v10M15 10v10M5 15h14\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <h3>Basic needs support<\/h3>\n\n      <p>\n        Ask about food pantries and help with housing or transportation.\n      <\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Financial aid review -->\n    <div class=\"rk-support-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-support-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <path d=\"M12 3H5a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v14a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h7\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M12 3v5h5\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m12 3 5 5\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"m14 18 5-5a2.1 2.1 0 0 1 3 3l-5 5-4 1 1-4Z\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M7 8h1M7 12h3\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <h3>Financial aid review<\/h3>\n\n      <p>\n        If family finances have changed, ask about a special circumstances\n        review, sometimes called professional judgment. The school determines\n        whether an adjustment is possible.\n      <\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Tuition payment plans -->\n    <div class=\"rk-support-card\">\n\n      <svg class=\"rk-support-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <rect x=\"3\" y=\"5\" width=\"18\" height=\"16\" rx=\"2\"><\/rect>\n        <path d=\"M16 3v4M8 3v4M3 11h18\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M8 15h.01M12 15h.01M16 15h.01\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M8 18h.01M12 18h.01M16 18h.01\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n\n      <h3>Tuition payment plans<\/h3>\n\n      <p>\n        Ask student accounts or the bursar\u2019s office whether a plan is still\n        available, including fees and due dates. A plan spreads payments out;\n        it doesn\u2019t reduce the bill.\n      <\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"rk-support-callout\">\n\n    <p style=\"color:#206A53;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.4px;margin:0 0 8px;\">\n      A QUESTION YOUR STUDENT CAN USE\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.8;margin:0;\">\n      \u201cI\u2019m short on funds for an upcoming expense. What support is available,\n      and how soon could I access it?\u201d\n    <\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"font-family:'Open Sans',Arial,sans-serif;color:#30363b;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:36px;\">\n\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;width:42px;height:42px;line-height:42px;text-align:center;background:#52BE9D;color:#ffffff;border-radius:50%;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;margin-right:14px;\">\n      4\n    <\/span>\n\n    <h2 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:25px;line-height:1.3;color:#273b35;margin:0;\">\n      Look for costs you can reduce\n    <\/h2>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n    Before taking on more debt, check whether a few changes could narrow the gap:\n  <\/p>\n\n  <ul style=\"font-size:16px;padding-left:24px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n    <li style=\"margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <strong>Meal plans:<\/strong> Ask whether the plan can still be changed if your student isn\u2019t using it fully.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li style=\"margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <strong>Textbooks:<\/strong> Compare rentals, used copies, and library reserves. Confirm that required access codes are included.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li style=\"margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <strong>Optional charges:<\/strong> Review the bill. Ask about health insurance waivers only if your student has qualifying coverage and the deadline is still open.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li>\n      <strong>Transportation:<\/strong> Revisit costs, including an unused parking permit, and check refund rules.\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#EAF7F1;border-left:4px solid #52BE9D;border-radius:0 12px 12px 0;padding:22px 24px;\">\n    <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0;\">\n      Focus on changes that keep your student\u2019s basic needs and coursework covered. Even modest savings can help.\n    <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"font-family:'Open Sans',Arial,sans-serif;color:#30363b;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:36px;\">\n\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;width:42px;height:42px;line-height:42px;text-align:center;background:#52BE9D;color:#ffffff;border-radius:50%;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;margin-right:14px;\">\n      5\n    <\/span>\n\n    <h2 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:25px;line-height:1.3;color:#273b35;margin:0;\">\n      Review borrowing carefully\n    <\/h2>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n    If a gap remains, ask the financial aid office whether your student has unused federal loan eligibility. Confirm the current rate, fees, and repayment terms for the specific loan before accepting it.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n    If your family considers a private loan, compare two or three offers. Look at the interest rate, fees, total repayment cost, when payments begin, and any cosigner obligations. Borrow only what\u2019s needed.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#EAF7F1;border-left:4px solid #52BE9D;border-radius:0 12px 12px 0;padding:24px;\">\n\n    <h3 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:21px;line-height:1.4;color:#273b35;margin:0 0 10px;\">\n      Will this gap happen again next semester?\n    <\/h3>\n\n    <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0;\">\n      If the answer is yes, revisit the ongoing budget as well as the immediate expense.\n    <\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"font-family:'Open Sans',Arial,sans-serif;color:#30363b;line-height:1.8;background:#EAF7F1;border-radius:12px;padding:28px;margin-bottom:32px;\">\n\n  <p style=\"color:#206A53;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.4px;margin:0 0 10px;\">\n    FINAL THOUGHT\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h2 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:24px;line-height:1.3;color:#273b35;margin:0 0 14px;\">\n    One conversation can move the plan forward\n  <\/h2>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 14px;\">\n    An unexpected expense doesn\u2019t mean your family\u2019s plan has failed. A check-in with your student can help you understand what\u2019s changed and choose the next step together.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0;\">\n    Start with the amount due, the deadline, and one campus office your student can contact. Then set a time to check back in together.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"font-family:'Open Sans',Arial,sans-serif;background:#F4F3F2;color:#30363b;border-top:4px solid #52BE9D;border-radius:12px;padding:30px;margin-bottom:28px;line-height:1.8;\">\n\n  <p style=\"color:#206A53;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.4px;margin:0 0 10px;\">\n    FIND YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h2 style=\"font-family:'Exo',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:26px;line-height:1.3;color:#273b35;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n    Keep scholarships in the plan\n  <\/h2>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 16px;\">\n    A mid-semester check-in is also a good time to revisit scholarship opportunities. Red Kite\u2019s free, personalized scholarship search can help your student find opportunities that fit their profile.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p style=\"font-size:16px;margin:0 0 24px;\">\n    Scholarship applications and award payments take time, so pair your search with campus support for urgent expenses.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/?utm_source=red_kite_blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=semester_costs&amp;utm_content=scholarship_cta\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;max-width:100%;background:#E63946;color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none;padding:14px 26px;border-radius:30px;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.5;text-align:center;\">\n    Start Your Free Scholarship Search \u2192\n  <\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FOR PARENTS 5 steps to help your family respond to a mid-semester money gap. 1. Review spending 2. Define the gap 3. Ask about support 4. Reduce costs 5. Review&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3125,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[148],"tags":[358,41,439,62,421,184,97],"class_list":["post-3123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parent-newsletters","tag-college-budgeting","tag-college-costs","tag-emergency-financial-aid","tag-financial-aid","tag-parent-resources","tag-paying-for-college","tag-scholarships"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>When the Semester Costs More Than Expected - Red Kite Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Facing unexpected college costs? 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