<p>so I ended up getting fairly crappy aid for UCLA--about $7,000 for the scholarship recognition award and no other grants. though my fafsa expected family contribution is pretty low, less than $14,000, UCLA is asking me to pay $19,000 a year (26,000-7,000=19,000). that extra $10,000 more than I expected for two years is lot. I'm transferring from a private school, so the only real reason I even applied to ucla was to find a way to incur less debt. at my current school (nyu), I would graduate with about $40,000 in debt. If I transferred to UCLA, I would be about $28,000 in debt (I won't get into the specifics of how I calculated that here...). so I guess my two questions are:
1)in your opinion, is a difference of $12,000 worth transferring schools, if I like my current school a lot?
2)is the epal award final, or subject to change?</p>
<p>I believe that financial aid is always negotiable. There are definitely ways to get more aid. If you are going to be moving, you obviously have to change jobs and your income will change. Ask them for a projected income form. For example, I made 19k last year. This year I will make 11k. That is a big difference and they need to know that. Call them. </p>
<p>Also, I think that 12k is a lot of money. What career do you want to pursue? I would never feel comfortable taking out more in loans than the average yearly salary of that career. For example, say you want to be a bank manager and the avg salary is 50k/year. I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking out loans that exceed 50k. That’s just me though, everyone is different. You have to decide what YOU are comfortable with, it’s not up to anyone else.</p>
<p>er I don’t get why sum ppl can see but sum cant >_>. I CANT SEE MINE…</p>
<p>At least you’re getting money. As of right now I’m considered with $0 lol.</p>
<p>There’s people on here who have an EFC of 0 and are having to get loans out. 
With the budget the way it is…you know. </p>
<p>You CAN appeal for your financial aid, but obviously know that there better be some good reason(s) for it!</p>
<p>Good luck…>__<;; I’m going to appeal for whatever UC I decide going to.</p>