<p>I was wondering if it is as easy to get financial aid as a transfer student as it is as a freshman.</p>
<p>Out of the schools I am applying to, WashU, Vanderbilt, and SLU all say Financial Aid is "available" to transfer students, and Northwestern says need-based scholarships are usually not available to transfers.</p>
<p>My parents make about $140,000 a year (after taxes) and pay $2400/mo mortgage, though since I have a brother about to enter college in 09, and sister who they need to start saving for, they say the absolute most the CAN pay is about $22,000 per year.</p>
<p>Is my aid going to be as much as if I were a freshman, will I even realistically get the aid I need, and are colleges more willing to offer aid if you need less?</p>
<p>My guess is no. The best oppty for fin aid is for freshmen. It is based on leftovers from freshmen and existing students. Unless they are a school that meets 100% of demonstrated need for all students. Also, some schools are need based blind admissions and others aren't. Be careful who you talk to . Research Financial aid and affordability at US news.</p>
<p>which probably means their gross AGI is over ~$200,000</p>
<p>that puts your family in the top percentage or 2 of all wage earners. </p>
<p>What is their EFC for this year? Your need as determined by your EFC may be substantially different than the gap you have to fill based on what your parents are willing to pay.</p>
<p>Merit aid is completely different from need based aid.</p>
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<p>My parents make about $140,000 a year (after taxes) and pay $2400/mo mortgage, though since I have a brother about to enter college in 09, and sister who they need to start saving for, they say the absolute most the CAN pay is about $22,000 per year.>></p>
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<p>Well...agreed with Sue. If this is after tax income...their AGI is probably in the $200,000 range. Financial aid only cares about CURRENT students in college...not future ones. And your mortgage payment really won't matter too much either...everyone has some kind of housing expense. </p>
<p>You should run your numbers through one of the online finaid calculators. Be sure to do the institutional methodology as several of your schools also require the CSS Profile to be completed. This will give you a ball park of what your family contribution expectation will be. I have to guess that for need based aid (if that income is REALLY after taxes) it won't be very high...and if you have any other family assets (savings, home equity, etc) that would impact it as well.</p>