<p>I just found out I’m not a finalist. I can no longer go to college my family has an income of only 20000 with 4 people. I’ll have to just work at a fast food restaurant like I do now for the rest of my life. This was the only opportunity that I had to going to college. I don’t know what I’m going to tell my mom when I tell her that I no longer am assisting texas tech university. I worked on this scholarship for over 6 months and I reap no rewards. Good luck to everyone that did, be sure to keep posting ill try to live vicuriously through your posts.</p>
<p>Just got my email, I’m not a finalist but that is actually a relief for me. Would’ve saved me from heartbreak later. I’m really sorry to those who weren’t selected as finalist, but don’t give up hope! There are plenty of other scholarships out there.</p>
<p>Good luck to those of you who are finalists!!</p>
<p>Finalist - South Texas HSF</p>
<p>Not a finalist. 
that one hurt.</p>
<p>@ jasosa this is not necessarily true. There should still be local scholarships available and you can take classes at a community college. You can even work and take classes at a community college entirely online now then transfer to a university. Don’t give up hope and most definitely don’t give up on continuing your education. Where there is a will there is a way.</p>
<p>@scuba
I appreciate your words but its hard. The nearest community college is 45 miles away and I don’t have a car. I’m just done trying… Working so hard to end up at a fast food restaurant just sucks.</p>
<p>I received an email that I am “not” a finalist. This one is destroying me. At the same time, I am searching for positive reasons to feel comforted. =)</p>
<p>Congratulation to the people who attained it.</p>
<p>still waiting here if fl got mess today letter been sent 1st time calling so dont know if the 0-5 doc was there yest. no emails yet.</p>
<p>Does this mean that those who received e-mails are not finalist and those who received letters are finalist?</p>
<p>No, because I thought someone in Cal had received an email and they were finalist.</p>
<p>Not a finalist either…just got the email</p>
<p>Finalst- Asian from Atlanta, Georgia
I received an email around 3:00 pm</p>
<p>Not a finalist email in upstate NY. Good luck to everyone else, I just know that my future is in my hands and the cards will be dealt as they are dealt. Hard work DOES pay off, I am sure!</p>
<p>Received an e-mail at 1:38 Central time that my African American daughter from Oklahoma is a finalist. Don’t know if letter came too. Haven’t been home yet to check.</p>
<p>I was rejected. I worked so hard on this scholarship, but i guess it wasn’t meant to be. It’s going to take a while for me to get over this.</p>
<p>African American from Florida. I got an email and I’m not a finalist.</p>
<p>I just found out that I am a finalist :)
I am so proud of my self. My hard work worth it!!!</p>
<pre><code> From Dallas,Tx
</code></pre>
<p>Not selected a finalist. I worked so so hard revising essays as much as I can… but I guess I wasn’t good enough but then again 54,000 people applied.
& Jasosa i know how you feel… my family makes roughly 18k, family of 6. This was one of the only hopes I had of going to college but there are local scholarships and HSF. If I don’t get any of the 10 I applied then yes I’m screwed and have to work first before going to college. Your situation sounds tough but don’t give up. What my brother did was work for whole year to save up money then go to the college the year after. Although it may seem long, remember it’s a short term sacrifice for a long-term result. Good luck in life to non-finalists and congratulations to all finalists! Best of luck to make it past the second round!</p>
<p>@Karlerzz - Where did the 54,000 number come from? That’s a lot more than previous years. Good luck though, I understand where you are coming from. Even if I do end up getting the Gates Scholarship, I will probably still have to work because of my family situation.</p>
<p>To the non finalist - keep your heads up. God just has something else in store for you! You will obtain a college degree! #NOWORRIES
I know someone who did not get the Gates but got a full-ride to Georgetown!</p>