<p>The main non-need-based loans are the PLUS loans for parents. It sounds as though you may be an independant student? Then the PLUS loans wouldn’t work. Hmmm… Can your parents co-sign a private loan? Did you get a work/study award? The work/study could go towards your billed costs if you sign up for the monthly payment plan.</p>
<p>If you are an independant student, or if you are a dependant student and your parents are denied a PLUS loan, your Stafford limit goes up to $12,500 (an extra $5,000 unsubs) - so you might contact finacial aid to see if you are eligible for the extra $5,000 in unsubs Stafford. Here is the federal website listing those loan amounts for reference: [Student</a> Aid on the Web](<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp]Student”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp) When you email financial aid, tell them how excited you are about USC and ask if they have any additional suggestions for meeting the costs. </p>
<p>Another suggestion is to post a question on the financial aid forum - there are some real experts there. Be sure to mention that you are a transfer student so you will only have two years of loans of this size, or they will all suggest you go to another school.</p>
<p>Good luck, zircushio, and let me know how it turns out. I have been checking in on the AMAZING 1,000+ page USC transfer thread this summer - I am so impressed with all of you. You will be such great additions to USC.</p>