Is attending community college and transferring considered an acceptable option?

[walkinghome]

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In other words, plenty of college bound students (perhaps the 2.8 to 3.4 GPA range in high school) from families who would not get significant need-based aid may find that paying list price for a less selective 4-year college may not make as much sense as going to community college and transferring, either to a “better” 4-year college, or at least saving money if going to the same less selective 4-year college.

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<p>While those B students won’t get merit aid at name ranked colleges there absolutely is merit money available at very good colleges. All three of my kids were offered merit grants/scholarships from $10,000 - $20,000/year from private colleges. We were not eligible for any need-based aid.</p>

<p>For me, that’s the strongest reason NOT to go to a community college for very good students. The aid is there for incoming freshman but it may not be available for transfer students.</p>