Do transfer students qualify for merit based aid? If so, where?

Potential transfer student, In-state in Texas, no merit based aid from UT Austin (current university)

Aid is not my #1 priority, but I am currently getting $10k a year from parents and will go into debt by sophomore year. Would be nice to find a college satisfying my aid necessities while being strong in what I’m looking for
$6,000 in outside scholarships, $2,000 renewable
still applying to outside scholarships

Dislike UT a lot because of cancellation of Hindi-Urdu Flagship, mainly, even though in Plan II Honors program and think I got the best of what UT has to offer. Want to transfer somewhere much smaller and has a strong study abroad program in Liberal Arts (International Economics/South Asian Studies) to India/Pakistan.

Taking Urdu, must have for any college is Hindi. Having Urdu as well very preferable.
International Universities not off the table
Cars on Campus for sophomores almost necessary
Merit aid would be excellent.
Programs in internationalism (IR, IPE), South Asian studies, and Economics (BS preferred to BA) and/or connections to professors must be superior to those at UT Austin.
Optimal college size 3-5k undergrad. I’m currently sitting at 48k so any significant decrease is welcome though.

HS Stats:
SAT 2180 superscored (740M, 760W, 680R) , 2170 single score (730M, 760W, 680R)
Subjects: (800 Math II, 790 USH, 750 WH)
ACT 34 (35M 36R 33E 32S)
GPA: 3.97 UW 4.48 W
Rank: 6/1425
EC: President of MUN, JWAC, and German Club; Section Leader in Band; Fencing Club (Rated C2013) had no officer positions

Any colleges you could recommend for merit aid or otherwise would be excellent!!!

There are very few scholarships for transfer students. I see from other posts you were initially accepted to Northwestern but I also see you think it’s a good idea to take loans of $45K/year. Nope.

Houston apparently has a Hindi program. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/521703-hindi.html That would be in-state for you.

https://www.susqu.edu/admission-and-aid/tuition-and-financial-aid/financial-aid-options/scholarships
http://info.susqu.edu/academics/12858.asp

You could check into Susquehanna in PA. They seem to offer transfer scholarships, but not sure the cost would be less than instate schools.

These are great, thanks!