<p>I'm not sure if I can get into USC initially, or if I can even afford it. If I go to an oos state school, (Pitt), for a year or two, will I still be offered significant grants and such if I transfer (assuming my income is low enough)?</p>
<p>USC uses the CSS/Profile and the FAFSA to determine your "USC-determined need" and they guarantee to meet that need. Use the calculators you find on this forum to estimate your EFC for the Profile and FAFSA and that will give you a general idea. From the comments on the USC forum this spring, most cc-users were pleased with their USC financial aid package, though there were a few who did not feel it was adequate. (Students who had used the calculators to estimate what they would receive were far more educated and prepared for the result.)</p>
<p>USC uses a combination of university grants, state and federal grants, and subsidized Stafford and Perkins loans to meet need. They offer several loan and payment options to assist with the EFC.</p>
<p>In our family's case, USC was more affordable than our in-state university.</p>