<p>I've been out of high school for a few years now and decided its time for me to attend college! I will be moving to California and attending Santa Monica College for two years. After that I would love to transfer to USC. I want to major in business or Public Relations. Not sure which one yet but some things have me worried. As of now I will be considered an dependent student because Im only 20 but by the time I attend USC I will be considered independent. Will this have any bear on how much money I receive for financial aid? As of now I will receive very little if any because my mom makes a lot of money, even though she is not going to help me out AT ALL for school. Will being an independent student making very little money help in gaining aid from USC? Looking for some help and thanks everyone!</p>
<p>Conratulations on starting college! I can’t answer the FA question; becoming an independent student is complicated. If nobody here can answer, the financial aid forum would be a good place to ask the question, as there are some experts over there.</p>
<p>What I do want to say is that you should be sure to check with USC about their articulation agreement with SMCC. They’ve got it all worked out in advance which community college courses will transfer to USC, and which will satisfy general ed requirements. So plan carefully when you choose your courses!</p>
<p>Thank you very much and yeah I printed off the transfer plan for USC and looked at the class descriptions in which i’d take for GE requirements and business requirements. So I narrowed the classes down for which I would like to take.</p>
<p>I know it’s hard to become a independent student but in two years I will meet the requirements that are in place this year. So not sure if they will change in the next few years.</p>