How likely is merit aid for a transfer student?

[StaticRoar]

<ol>
<li><p>I read that freshman students get first priority when it comes to merit aid. So how much merit aid is set aside for transfer students, particularly at out-of-state publics and private universities? How likely is it for a transfer student with a great GPA at community college to receive merit aid?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you have to apply for all merit aid, like with scholarships? Or will the schools offer it to you with their acceptance letter?</p></li>
</ol>

[thumper1]

<p>The answer to both of your questions…it depends on the policies of the colleges.</p>

<p>I would suggest that you discuss your transfer with the transfer advisor at your community college. Some colleges actually have scholarships specifically for community college transfers.</p>

<p>But then, some colleges don’t offer merit awards to transfer students at all. Some have very limited awards. It is true that the best awards are for incoming freshmen.</p>

<p>Re: OOS publics…many don’t give significant merit aid to OOS students at all. It is even less likely that you would receive significant merit as an OOS public university transfer student.</p>

<p>Private schools…depends on the school policies.</p>

<p>Are you looking at affordable options within your own state?</p>

[4kidsdad]

<p>It depends on the schools. For example see <a href=“http://www.rit.edu/emcs/admissions/apply/transfer/how-to-apply/scholarships-for-transfer-students”>http://www.rit.edu/emcs/admissions/apply/transfer/how-to-apply/scholarships-for-transfer-students&lt;/a&gt;

RIT will award Trustee Scholarships* valued at $7,000 to $10,000 per academic year to transfer students entering RIT who meet all of the following qualifications:
1.Have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.3 to 3.59, as computed by RIT, to receive a $7,000– $8,500 scholarship per year, or a cumulative 3.6 or higher, as computed by RIT, to receive a $10,000 scholarship per year.
2.Completion of an associate degree prior to enrolling at RIT.
3.Are admitted to an RIT academic program as a full-time student.

Also

In order to be considered for either the Trustee or Transfer Achievement Scholarship, students must apply for admission and provide all admissions credentials by the following dates: </p>

<p>Spring 2014 entry: November 15, 2013
Summer or Fall 2014 entry: March 15, 2014

</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p><<<
So how much merit aid is set aside for transfer students, particularly at out-of-state publics and private universities? How likely is it for a transfer student with a great GPA at community college to receive merit aid
<<</p>

<p>Not much, especially in context to how much the school costs. </p>

<p>above is mentioned 7-10k scholarships to schools that cost over $55k per year. </p>

<p>OOS publics usually give tiny amounts…sometimes only $1k. There may be some lesser known publics that give some merit…maybe U New Mexico?</p>

<p>What schools are you interested in?</p>

<p>How much merit do you want? how much can your family pay? </p>

<p>Schools reserve their merit for incoming frosh because the schools’ ranking is based on the quality of its frosh classes. Transfers really dont benefit the school. And, tons of transfers have a strong gpa, so that doesnt mean much to them.</p>

[Erin_s_Dad]

<p>From your previous posts it seems you are a CCC student looking to transfer into a UC. Is that still true? That changes some things.</p>

[StaticRoar]

<p>@thumper1 @mom2collegekids @Erin’s Dad </p>

<p>I am currently a California community college student working towards a degree in civil engineering. If I want to transfer within two years, my only options are UC Berkeley and UC Irvine due to prerequisites. The in-state tuition costs are no problem for me. My top choice is Berkeley, my fallback would be Irvine. But I’d prefer out-of-state schools with better engineering programs than Irvine, but only if the cost is affordable (preferably below $25,000 tuition). Haven’t done much in-depth research, but if I can’t get into Berkeley, the out-of-state schools I would be looking at are University of Illinois, University of Texas, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Texas A&M, and Lehigh. </p>

[Madison85]

<p>UW-Madison is currently $43k COA for OOS and there is no automatic merit - only small, competitive departmental scholarships that you would have to apply for after you are admitted to the specific engineering program. Any automatic need-based institutional aid based on EFC won’t bring the COA anywhere near $25k (not even near $35k).</p>

[thumper1]

<p>Um…is the Irvine program ABET accredited? If so, it will be just as good (and far less costly) than the OOS programs.</p>

<p>There is a thread with a stick pin at the top of this forum…it is about lower cost schools that cost <$24,000 a year. Check that.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

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<p>My top choice is Berkeley, my fallback would be Irvine. But I’d prefer out-of-state schools with better engineering programs than Irvine,
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<p>oh good heavens. UCI’s engineering is very good. (AND is accredited).</p>

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<p>would be looking at are University of Illinois, University of Texas, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Texas A&M, and Lehigh.</p>
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<p>dont waste your time. Any addl spending to attend any of the above will get you NOTHING. Not a higher pay, nothing. </p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year? Are you saying that your parents will pay $30k per year for a UC? or will you qualify for a Cal Grant/UC aid to attend a UC??</p>