<p>I'm very unhappy at the University of Kansas. I want to transfer out-of-state to a liberal arts college, but money is a huge problem. I don't qualify for financial aid OR loans - my family has a lot of farmland - but at the same time we can only pay $5000 per year (living expenses AND college costs) out of pocket. I have stellar high school grades/scores/recs/activities. Actually, during admissions I was accepted to every school I applied to, but even with generous scholarships from some very competitive schools I couldn't afford it. I'm trying really hard to make it work at KU because I have a full merit ride but I just hate it here.</p>
<p>I know many liberal arts schools don't even offer merit aid. Fewer still offer to transfer students. Is there anywhere, anywhere at all, I can go now?</p>
<p>Tarant, Unfortunately your merit aid at KU will not transfer. Are you a freshman? If you did not qualify for any need based aid at KU, chances are you will not qualify for need based aid at a private LAC. In general though, private schools often discount more or offer better financial aid packages than public universities. However, as you probably know, private schools usually cost more to attend than public schools. You can always apply for transfer, explain your situation clearly to the schools you are applying to and then see what happens. I would strongly recommend that you do not give up that full merit scholarship at KU until you see what else is out there and how much it will cost. If you are just a freshman, I would advise to wait. Things will get better. The first year is always the toughest. If you truly hate it at KU, then see if you can grind it out for two years there, then transfer. In that way, the costs to attend an out of state LAC for the remaining time might be easier to swallow.</p>