<p>Study the General Ed. required classes at USC and what classes you could take elsewhere (UCLA or CC) which could transfer to USC and save some money that way. I understand how you feel that you worked very hard to get accepted to your dream school USC. However, you need the money to attend. UCLA or a CC are fine choices to consider to save tuition dollars, transfer to USC later, and still end up with a USC degree. Do not go into debt. It is just too hard to pay back.</p>
<p>You have not answered why you don't want to go to ucla. If you said, it is because of your attitude (as clearly demonstrated by your posts here), I understand. </p>
<p>You seem to ignore every advice given to you by CC members. </p>
<p>What is YOUR answer to YOUR own question?</p>
<p>I'm not bashing UCLA, in fact, I was jumping for joy when I got in... I just know that as I want to either pursue a career in business or law, that underlying degree from USC's Marshall school really goes a long way...</p>
<p>My thinking know is to work my ass of at cc during the fall, USC for Spring, then just keep going to cc during summers, maybe only having to "officialy" go for 3 years.</p>
<p>I don't ignore advice, I take it, and heavily consider every bit of advice I get... trust me, I really do. </p>
<p>I would think that I will get more aid as the years go due to my dad's terminal illness that is likely to keep him from work (2/3 of parents income) within the next year and a half.</p>
<p>Did you address the situation with your father in the financial aid forms with a letter attached by any chance? If not, I suggest having your parents contact the financial aid office as soon as possible and explain the situation. Make an appointment to discuss your situation. </p>
<p>I have heard of other students having a one on one discussion with a financial aid officer. This appears to be a good way of resolving a unique problem such as yours. Please talk to your parents. Discuss the personal meeting. Bring your copy of forms. </p>
<p>If you live in Newport Beach the problem is probably the net worth of your parents' home.
My dad had three of us at SC at one time. He had saved, but the costs were very high. He put a second mortgage on the home, which he paid off after we all graduated. It was a struggle for him as we all worked during vacations and holidays, but it was not enough.</p>
<p>My hope you will be able to resolve the situation and be a Trojan! Good luck.</p>
<p>^^^ I have thought about that, but do to the fact that he is still able to work (earning his full income and such), I doubt anything would happen now until the he stops and it shows up on our taxes and subsequently the FAFSA. I'm visting SC over Spring Break and am going to have a meeting with some financial aid officials.</p>
<p>Sorry, but do you have any ideas of what to say if they (financial aid) say that "we can't help you because he is still working"?</p>
<p>I think you will find them compassionate, especially given your special circumstances. I also think it is reasonable to assert that your family needs to adjust college expenses now, as family finances will be dramatically impacted in the relatively short term due to the primary wage earner's illness.</p>
<p>I thought the primary residence value didn't matter, just income property. Maybe that's just FAFSA. We didn't apply for FA.</p>
<p>^^^ lucky you, the house value wasn't on the FAFSA, but on CSS...
I'm screwed with the house, my parents bought it 30 years ago when it was foreclosed on (ironic?) and got it for 300k, it's now worth roughly 1mil.</p>
<p>Yeah, we didn't bother with CSS because FAFSA was 99,999. Thing is, we're not rich. Not poor. Not complaining. But we're still trying to decide if USC is worth twice the cost of UCLA.</p>
<p>I think it is worth asking an official at UCLA if you will be able to get the classes you want because of budget cuts. Regarding USC vs. UCLA because of cost, I think a lot has to do with what you want to study and your goals. and if class size makes a difference. I would never recommend going into debt. USC says they will meet demonstrated financial need with financial aid. However, even if some parents technically have the money (or will take out a home equity loan), they might be more cautious with spending savings because of the economic down turn.</p>
<p>SoCal, binks... I truly LOVE USC. I am so glad my D chose USC. That said...</p>
<p>UCLA is such a wonderful university. National and world recognition. High ranking and prestige (for those who are concerned with that). To have that opportunity at 1/2 the cost of USC... I am not saying money should be the only thing you should consider, I am saying you should get yourselves over to UCLA, attend a class, meet with faculty in your major, try really, really hard to find reasons to LOVE it.</p>
<p>I agree that UCLA is a wonderful university but it is very big, with large classes, and may not be able to graduate in 4 years. I wonder how the California budget cuts are going to impact UCLA and the CCs in California. It might be easier to get better grades at a CC which provides greater assurance for transfer to USC if the goal is to cut tuition costs for 2 years and then hopefully transfer to USC for the last two years.</p>
<p>The OP specified he prefers NOT to go to a cc for two years, just for the Fall semester (a Spring admit).</p>
<p>I am not sure how the dates and credits work out to go to UCLA and then try to transfer to USC within one year because UCLA is on the quarter system (vs. the semester system at USC). I think the CCs are on the semester system and there is an articulation agreement between USC and the California CCs. Maybe OP should re-consider a CC and get some valuable work experience if the CC is too easy. UCLA is the kind of school to go to for one quarter and then leave for another school (maybe I am wrong about that). I can see UCLA for a full year or two, and then trasnfer to USC. I am just not sure that it is easy to transfer with one quarter of classes to USC. The OP would have to talk to USC how the transfer credits of one quarter would work out and if it is worth it to do that.</p>
<p>I mean to say I am not sure it is worth the hassle/adjustment to go from UCLA for a quarter to transfer to USC (semester system).</p>
<p>I would go to UCLA and then transfer to USC. I would not go to CC-->USC route.
Regarding home equity, DD has a friend who has more home equity than what you've listed and she's attending USC on almost the cost of commuting to a UC.
Note, I don't know the exact details of her house, ie it could be owned by relatives.</p>
<p>It might actually be worth it to go UCLA in the fall to SC in the spring. At least you won't miss out on a perfectly good football season, even though you would be sitting in the wrong section, BRUTRO.</p>
<p>Actually, if you're interested in attending USC, my understanding is that it's MUCH easier to transfer & get your credits accepted if you transfer from a CC than from a UC. My friend's S & his buddy were considering that route & USC told them straight up so the friend's S chose to go to U of Az instead & his buddy went to a CC instead of UCI because he REALLY wants to go to USC, where all his relatives have graduated from.</p>
<p>I'd talk with USC about these options if you're serious so you don't set yourself up for a disappointment. They were very helpful to my D & friend's buddy. They have many students who have a tough time affording the expenses & tuition.</p>
<p>As posted, my D transferred to USC--applied after 1st semester of CC in HI & was accepted to enter USC in spring of her sophomore year (completed 3 semesters of CC). She did save us a lot of $$ by this route, but it wasn't ideal in some respects.</p>
<p>It also depends upon which CC you live near and how you feel about that particular CC. I hear there is different quality of CC in California.</p>
<p>As per the USC transfer catalog, here are the top feeder CCs, in alpha order:</p>
<p>De Anza College
Diablo Valley College
El Camino College
Glendale Community College
LA Pierce College
Mt. San Antonio College
Orange Coast College
Pasadena City College
Saddleback College
Santa Monica College</p>
<p>I attend Pasadena City College and can say that our articulation agreement with SC is very good.</p>