<p>Transfer applicants usually get theri aid packages about a week to two weeks after acceptance. For those who receive a spring grade request, that means it might be as late as July. Unfortunately that means some transfers will not know about their aid until after the commitment deadline for other schools (like the UCs). </p>
<p>If the other schools will not grant an extension of the commitment deadline (it is always worthwhile to ask), applicants often feel they need to submit a deposit to another school while they wait to be sure they have an affordable option.</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted to USC and I do not know much about how financial aid works. We filed the FAFSA before the deadline and I have revised it. I did not know about the CCS profile, but I filled it out yesterday and sent it. I think I may have made mistake in my haste. I am sending my tax information today. Is it to late for my daughter to be considered for a financial aid package to USC? Also is there anything I should know about or do concerning financial aid at this point? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>kirklandfan - Congratulations on your daughter’s acceptance!</p>
<p>Yes, you have missed a bunch of deadlines, and USC does not guarantee to meet 100% of USC-determined need for late applicants BUT - </p>
<p>last year there were posts by at least two applicants who applied for aid in April and were awarded the full amount of aid they would have been eligible for with an on-time application. I have never seen a post saying that USC told them they reduced their aid because of a late application. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen - but there is a possibility you will still receive the aid you need to attend. Read the USC Financial Aid website (linked on page one of this thread) first two pages of this thread for lots of info. Good luck!</p>
<p>You have given me hope. I bought the book Paying for College Without Going Broke and read it in a day. It is very useful. I wish I had bought it 16 years ago. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I fear I may be asking a dumb question but que sera. I live in upstate NY and so flights to L.A. would be about 300 bucks round trip after taxes and fees. Since in the estimated cost of attendance it sights ‘Transportation Fees’, does that cover my flights? I assume it doesn’t but my EFC is zero and if USC’s Financial Aid package covers 100% then I theoretically wouldn’t have to pay for flights… I’m almost 95 percent sure that it doesnt cover that but it doesnt hurt to ask… Thaaaaanks</p>
<p>For the cost of attendance, they (theoretically) use average numbers for all the categories - room and board, books, transportation, etc. We found it very difficult to find room and board options for the “average” figure quoted of $11,560. That is the lowest priced USC-housing + meal plan available, not the average in my experience. The transportation figue is $580, which isn’t enough for anyone living more than about 2 hours away.</p>
<p>You can contact financial aid and ask for a budget adjustment for the extra travel expense. In my experience the adjustment (if any) consists of additional unsubsidized loan eligiblity. Another way to adress it is to look at other budget categories where you can economize, like books and supplies. When it comes time to shop for textbooks come back to the forum for suggestions on where to get inexpensive used textbooks - you can save as much as $700 for the year off the $1,500 budget.</p>
<p>How does financial aid work with book-buying and flights back home? Do you purchase plane tickets/books with a USC card that takes money away from your financial aid package (be it loans, grants) or how does this work? Thanks.</p>
<p>^ USC will bill you for their charges: Tuition, fees, insurance (unless you get it waived), room and board, etc. They then apply scholarships and financial aid as credits against those charges. If there is a balance due, that is the amount you pay to USC. If there is a credit balance you request either a check or to have it deposited to your account. You then can spend any overage on your books, transportation and other expenses.</p>
<p>If you wish, you can add money to your “discretionary account,” which is accessed through your USCard and can be used at the bookstore and most on-campus food locations. I think it can also be used at the USC gas station (but not positive about that).</p>
<p>The USC bookstore, like most university bookstores, tends to be very expensive compared to many other options that are available. My USC student generally only buys the in-house publications that are not available elsewhere at the bookstore.</p>
<p>Hi Alememom - what do you know about negotiating a better financial aid package? Our son is getting a presidential scholarship and 5k in unsubsidized stafford loans. That comes to ~36k in EFC, which is pretty daunting for us. Is it worth flying down there (from Norcal) for a face to face meeting? I was hoping for at least a federal work study offer. (How easy is it to find jobs on campus if not through the work study program?) Thanks.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t hurt to try - the worst they could do is say “no.” In my favorite financial aid book that I have plugged a bunch in this thread, the author mentions it isn’t necessarily a good idea to fly to the campus for a face-to-face meeting - it kind of contradicts the idea that you have need.</p>
<p>If your FAFSA EFC was less than $36,000, you may have some success - they distribute federal aid using that number. If you can’t get them to add the work/study, they may be willing to convert some of the subsidized Stafford into work/study. If none of your Stafford is subsiidized, it is not likely you will have success in exchanging it.</p>
<p>As you have guessed, getting an on-campus job without works/study is difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.</p>
<p>Oh - I just re-read your question, and your loan is unsubsidized. That means you probably don’t have “need” as defined by the federal formula (believe me, I completely understand that doesn’t mean you don’t have NEED!).</p>
<p>As I said, it would not hurt to send a email and ask them to reconsider your package, but without “need” as defined by the federal formula, they will be unable to give you federal work/study. There is always the possibilty they might give you a small grant, though. They can offer federal PLUS loans (parent loans) up to the cost of attendance minus any scholarships.</p>
<p>My son’s package was awful. My EFC is $24300 and they offered a $1400 grant and loans. We do have assets that I knew would raise our EFC but this is surprising. My son got accepted to Marshall. But now Stern at NYU is actually lower than USC. Vassar which is a really expensive school offered at $22k grant. WOW! Way out of our league. Goodbye USC!</p>
<p>Congratulations on the wonderful package from Vassar - a wonderful school. I am so glad your son applied to a list of schools that resulted in several great options. I am sure you are very proud of him.</p>
<p>Alamemom - thanks for the reply. I had a long talk with a FA counselor today - apparently the problem is that we live in a (CA) house that has a high market value and is almost paid for. Silly us! She said that USC considers our home equity to be a potential source of tuition income. Yikes - we sure don’t see it that way. So it sounds like they are assuming we’ll borrow against the house to pay for college. Does that sound accurate? I also asked her about federal work study and she suggested that my son write a letter and appeal that decision; they might then offer it to him. She said that there were plenty of non- work study jobs available on campus - but it sounds like you don’t think so - what do you know about that?</p>
<p>Yes, USC considers home equity in their financial aid calculations (see page one of this thread) - that is one reason they require the CSS/Profile in addition to the FAFSA. Home equity loans (if you choose to take one) usually have better interest rates than PLUS loans and have an added advantage - the home equity loan will reduce the equity that is being assesed for financial aid - a PLUS loan will not.</p>
<p>The kids who depend on work/study have to get out there and apply for lots of jobs. There is no guarantee that they will actually get a job. The kids without work/study have far fewer jobs to apply for - many on campus jobs are reserved for work/study - so they are competing for fewer jobs.</p>
<p>There is a job fair the first week on campus - be sure to have a resume ready before you head for USC.</p>