<p>We just had a visit with our sons schools financial aid office this afternoon and it was quite dis-heartening. We moved to Ohio in November and he just completed his freshman year with a 3.0 GPA If we got in state tuition, things would be fine, but we have not lived here for a year, which the school requires to get in state tuition. We really do not want him to take the year off, because he would lose his momentum. Does anyone know how strict Ohio is about the in-state tuition? My husband lost his job and is just taking any jobs that come his way while he is waiting for a job in his field. We have had credit issues and have no one to sign for parent plus loans. All grand-parents are dead. We are thinking about looking at private schools which are well endowed, in the Eastern Mid-west and Middle Atlantic area. Do you have suggestions?</p>
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Most schools give transfer students less scholarships than freshman students.</p>
<p>The schools with large endowments that give a lot of aid generally only do so for students with the very highest stats. Congratulations to your son on his strong GPA, but it’s not at the level of students who get very large merit aid. PLus, and even more immediate, it’s way too late to apply to those schools at this point for this fall. You may be looking at a year away while you earn in-state status. Or maybe your son could take some of his general ed requirements at a community college next year and go back to his 4-year Ohio univ. with junior status in the fall of 2014. (Community college residency requirements are sometimes very different than a state’s 4-year colleges – check with the community college in your area.)</p>
<p>A year away is not such a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Many productive things can be done in a year, and momentum can be even better when a student has built up some real eagerness to get back after a break.</p>
<p>If you moved in November then this November you will be residents. Wouldn’t the break only be for one semester ?</p>
<p>What 'rentof2 said. Well endowed schools accept only the very top students and the ability to transfer into one is even more difficult.</p>
<p>I suggest that he take a leave of absence for the fall semester and work, saving what money he can. Make sure you have an joint account with your name and ssn first so that when you fill out the FAFSA for next year that money isn’t sitting there to be hit at the student rate of 20% instead of falling under your asset protection umbrella or hit at 5.6% if over it.</p>
<p>He will then be eligible, not only for in state tuition but the FULL amount of the student Direct Loans to be used all for that one semester. If the school will grant permission, perhaps he can take a class or two at community or local college while working, but make sure he gets credit for that course at his college or it may not be worthwhile taking.</p>
<p>Was your son an out of state resident when he enrolled as a freshman? Check the school policy…at some places, your status remains OOS for all four years if that is how you matriculate.</p>
<p>If you are “looking at privates with large endowments”…the ship has sailed on THAT for September 2013 enrollment. And as noted, transfer students usually are at the bottom of the list for aid.</p>
<p>What you need to find out is IF and HOW and WHEN your son can be considered instate…if at all. </p>
<p>And remember too…if your husband finds a job in another state…and you move again…your son will likely lose instate status if he has gotten it.</p>
<p>Google the name of the college and residency to see what the school requirements are for becoming a state resident for tuition. There is usually an appeals process outlined as well.</p>
<p>I would have him do one semester of community college. The community college may not even check for state residency, and if they do, the out of state tuition is probably reasonable. Then transfer to a public in-state as soon as you are qualified for in-state tuition. You will probably find that the community college offers smaller intro class sizes that most 4 year public colleges.</p>
<p>Most of the better colleges do not have room for new students for this fall. The private colleges that do have room may not be very good and probably will offer little or no financial aid at this time. The community colleges will probably be happy to accept a registration for this fall. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, make sure every document (such as car registration, voting, etc) is transferred to your new state ASAP so there are no questions about your residency.</p>
<p>I believe that one year rule is overly strict, but it is in place in several states. If someone wants a public university, where is someone supposed to go to school during that year?</p>
<p>Charlie…the OP’s son is a rising college sophomore who has already completed one year at an Ohio public university apparently as an OOS student. The family moved to Ohio in November and hoped that he would be instate this year. </p>
<p>Since he is already a matriculated student at a four year university, he would either need to withdraw, or take a leave of absence to pursue the community college route. If he takes a leave of absence, he needs to find out IF he can take college courses elsewhere…and IF they will be accepted by the four year school. The answer might be NO.</p>
<p>Well-endowed privates aren’t likely going to accept a student with a 3.0. Most of the privates in those areas are NOT “well-endowed”…only a very small number are and they accept very few transfers…usually only TOP students. </p>
<p>Your son can either take a semester off, go to a CC for a year and then return. Ask his univ if this is acceptable. They might make him re-apply.</p>
<p>I want to let you know that community college is NOT an option nor is taking a semester or year off. Does anyone have any good suggestions. Thanks for all your help.</p>
<p>If community college is not an option, and taking a semester off is not an option, then just exactly how do you propose that your child pay for the next year?</p>
<p>Can your child find a full-time job and attend part-time? That could lower the cost somewhat.</p>
<p>If the school refuses to grant you in state status for tuition purposes, which a number of schools do when they have policies they enforce, then you either take off that semester which you say is NOT an option, or you have to pay the money. If you don’t have the money, your son either has to earn it or you have to borrow it. As Happymom suggest, maybe going part time is a possibility. </p>
<p>Your son can apply to schools for transfers, but bear in mind that as a general rule, transfers come last in terms of getting fin aid, and he is going to be a late transfer applicant for this fall, to boot. Some schools that do guarantee to meet full need for their students exclude transfers in this guarantee, by the way, so better check and see if that it the case at the schools on his list.</p>
<p>Do you have any assets you could sell? Not trying to be funny, but that’s an option. What about 401K?</p>
<p>We understand all that everyone has said, but does anyone know of any well endowed schools that will take transfers.</p>
<p>If there isn’t enough money to pay for school, and taking time off is not an option and community college is not an option, than the only thing left I guess would just be finding some way to get the money. There are no “well-endowed” schools that are going to admit a B student this late in the year with a lot of aid. If you can find one, offer to sell that information, write a book, and that will make you a fortune!</p>
<p>Most schools deadlines for Fall 2013 transfers were March 1 with a few as late as June 1. Putting aside your need for financial aid, it is simply too late to apply as a transfer student at any well-endowed school for the fall. You need to seriously consider another plan. I know you want to help your son maintain his momentum, but a single semester off will not cause a committed student to go off-track and he may be able to make up for any lost time by attending a summer session or two as an in-state student.</p>
<p>Why is this so unacceptable to you? Other families do this when necessary for all sorts of reasons and it’s honestly not a big deal if the student is in good standing (which with a 3.0 your son certainly is).</p>
<p>“Well-endowed schools” had transfer app deadlines that were months ago. It’s too late. </p>
<p>I’m not sure which “well endowed” schools you’re talking about. Yes, there are some (not many) well-endowed schools that give great aid to transfers. Their deadlines are past. They’ve already accepted their transfer students.</p>
<p>Also, those 'well-endowed" schools that give great aid to transfers accept students with a HIGHER GPA.</p>
<p>I want to let you know that community college is NOT an option nor is taking a semester or year off. Does anyone have any good suggestions</p>
<p>Well, guess what else is not an option…attending a school without paying. You’re being unrealistic.</p>
<p>Avalon, perhaps if he can find a job around his school and take a class or two for the fall, and then he will be in state for the spring semester and not be that far behind. The part time option might be one you can work out with the school.</p>