<p>I am non traditional student residing in Los Angeles, CA and taking classes online with Northeastern University ( major public affairs). I have 47 units earned at a local JC in Los Angeles and by the end of this spring quarter I will have earned about 23 quarter units at NEU. I no longer want to follow an online program and want to transfer to a four year institution back in LA even if it means losing credits in the process (I don't mind starting back at 60 units if i have to).</p>
<p>I am particularly interested in Pomona College, Occidental, Pitzer, Scripps, and UCLA. The problem is tuition. Having lost my income two years ago, I rely on the income of my husband who makes less than $ 55.000 per year which apparently is not low enough as it does not meet the poverty guideline for me to get $ a generous financial aid package. A year ago, I was admitted at NYU, but unfortunately their financial aid package was laughable and I ended-up declining since I could not afford an expensive NYU education. I decided that Northeastern ( online) was the best option. While am I happy with them, I am really missing out the physical contact and I am just not being challenged enough. I have a 4.0, speaks French ( FLUENTLY) German, and conversational Arabic. I was educated in France, and grew-up in North Africa ( Morocco). </p>
<p>My goal is to transfer by Spring 2012. I am confident, I can get admitted at reputable school with my background, BUT the issue for me is financial aid, and hopefully, someone can provide me with a strategy to follow on how to make convincing argument to get the most financial aid, either through merit based or need-based ( perhaps schools that are the most generous in Los Angeles)? What can I even do to separate myself from my husband's income? Even though he's making less than $ 55,000 per year ( and in Los Angeles that's gets nowhere) school will look at me as I'm rolling in the dough! the thing is that I have bad credit ( so does my husband) and tons of bills to repay. So getting a private loan is not possible regrettably. Any recommendations???</p>
<p>There are several California State Universities in the Los Angeles area. The tuition/fees for a California-resident are under $5,000/year, so if you could commute you should be able to manage that with a Stafford loan. That would be your best option. </p>
<p>Start here: [url=<a href=“Cal State Apply | CSU”>http://www.csumentor.edu/]CSUMentor[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Hello Alanmemom, unfortunately, this is not an option. I need the school to be extremely competitive, and realistically calstate students don’t get much love when applying to top law schools ( I forgot to mention, I want to attend law school), oh sure they are exceptions, but nevertheless this is not the rule. </p>
<p>With a 4.0 GPA and language skills plus unique world experience ( having grown-up in Europe/North Africa), I am hoping to gain access to TIER 1 schools, Cal state is LA is a tier 3. Why would I want to transfer to a school from a tier 1 university to end-up at a tier 3? Most importantly, the tier 3 waiting list is pathetic! </p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t want to come across as arrogant or dismissive of your recommendations, and I think it might work for many but not for me, I have worked already too hard to be where am I now and sacrificed so much already as a mom/wife. Yes, I am non-trad and proud of it, but this precisely why I need to get this done RIGHT this time…</p>
<p>PS: Are you telling me that the schools I have listed have no options for people like me??</p>
<p>It sounds like you’d qualify for Blue and Gold at a UC.</p>
<p>OP are you an American citizen? I am wondering if you are not, if you would be eligible for Stafford loans (?)</p>
<p>If you cannot afford your expected contribution, then I am telling you that the schools you listed simply are not options for you.</p>
<p>Many California State University graduates go on to law school. That is a fact.</p>
<p>An analogy: I have a perfect driving record, so I deserve to drive a Mercedes, but all I can afford is a Ford. As many times as I tell the Mercedes dealer how much I deserve a Mercedes, they will still expect and require payment for their product. The key thing is that my sturdy, reliable Ford will get me everywhere I need to go - though I won’t impress as many pedestrians as I pass them (but I WILL pass them…). A CSU education can indeed get you to law school.</p>
<p>As far as “why would you want to transfer…?” You listed your reasons in your opening post.</p>
<p>You cannot afford the schools you list. Look at other options.</p>
<p>*Blue and Gold is based on Cal Grant. Most non-traditional students do not qualify for Cal Grant, and the OP would still have to pay their EFC at a UC. They state they cannot pay their EFC.</p>
<p>Miss…</p>
<p>It sounds like you want a first class education on someone else’s dollar. That’s very difficult to do even if you were an incoming freshman. The fact that you’re a transfer student will make it even more unlikely.</p>
<p>Unless you and your H truly separate, then you will have to use his income. Is your H going to re-locate with you while you’re in college and in law school? </p>
<p>I suggest that you go to a UC that you can commute to. </p>
<p>I just realized that you may not qualify for Blue and Gold if you went to high school outside of Calif…which it sounds like you did.</p>
<p>you have lofty goals of going to a top, top law school and you think that you need to graduate from a top undergrad with full financial help. Since you’re a transfer student, that’s not that likely. </p>
<p>I think you need to set more reasonable goals.</p>
<p>Everyone thank you for your kind responses. It sounds rather depressing and based on the feedbacks I am getting it, will it then be safe to assume that if you make less than $ 55,000 per year USC, and private colleges won’t offer you any MERIT Based scholarships even with a 4.0 GPA?? WOW! Really? That’s news to me or else?? So you either have to be dirt poor or rich to make it?? Listen, keep the ford ( used to own one and can tell you they re not reliable!) , and the mercedes for that matter, I’ll take a prius, not trying to be funny and act entitled because i am not, I grew-up dirt poor and can stretch a dollar like nobody’s business, but why then do I hear of smart people ( not poor) getting away with top merit based scholarship? I knew someone for a fact attending PCC accepted at columbia university. She was a non-trad ( way older), and married with an income like mine, and go accepted at Columbia GS ( General studies) program on a FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP? Feedback please…Am I still trying to figure out how was that done given her higher income bracket and lower GPA.</p>
<p>Assuming you are a citizen or permanent resident, have you submitted your FAFSA or done the FAFSA 4-Caster AND the CollegeBoard IM calculators for private schools to find out what your EFC would be?</p>
<p>An independent student with an income of $55,000 is expected to contribute far more than a dependent student who’s family income is similar. That is how financial aid works. </p>
<p>If your friend managed a transfer scholarship to a school you would like to attend, contact her and ask her what you should do to receive the same scholarship.</p>
<p>Yes, some private colleges will offer merit aid to freshman applicants with outstanding records. Few will offer the same to transfers because it does not impact their freshman profiles for ranking purposes.</p>
<p>Is it unreasonable for me to seek the best? I expect that kind of feedback from strict muslim relatives in Morocco not in this DB. I expect nothing but the best for me. I left Morocco in hope of better the life, and I won’t stop until I achieve my goals no matter how unreasonable people think my goals are.</p>
<p>It is not unreasonable to seek the best, but it is unreasonable to expect that others pay for it. If you can pay for the best, by all means go and purchase the best. Good luck.</p>
<p>I have stated that knew her, but she’s not a friend…and she’s no longer in Los Angeles… Going forward, I am Legal, matter of fact, I am now naturalized. MY EFC is 8,158. I guess the thing left for me is to contact individually each schools and verify what you’ve mentioned with regards to offering Merit based to only Freshman students because transfer do not matter so much with regards to their ranking. Well, I don’t think I am an average transfer student given my out of the ordinary life, so I guess me and perceptions of myself will have to give the best shot I can give it. I almost feel guilty for wanting the best for me. of course am being sarcastic, and it’s not meat towards you in particular, but you sound so definitive and absolute in your answers, that I can’t help it.</p>
<p>missmonde -</p>
<p>Every single year some top private colleges and universities recruit at my local community college. They accept transfer students who have completed a full associates degree, with a GPA of 3.5 and up. Some colleges and universities that recruit there offer serious merit-based money to students like that. Unfortunately, you were ill advised along the way, and you transferred out too soon. Your best chances at merit-based scholarships, and at admission to “top” institutions require a full associates degree.</p>
<p>You also seem to be confused about the criteria for merit-based and need-based aid. Merit-based aid doesn’t depend on your income, it depends on your grades, your letters of recommendation, your essays, etc. Need-based aid depends on the FAFSA, CSS Profile and any other financial data that the college/university asks for. It is entirely possible to qualify for one, but not the other. </p>
<p>Law school admissions is heavily numbers based. Yes there is an advantage at the “top” law schools for students from “top” undergraduate programs, but in the end your GPA and your LSAT will determine where you can go. Those “top” law schools admit students with good grades and good LSAT scores who have graduated from institutions even “worse” than the Cal State system every single year. Attending a CSU will not destroy your chances. It is perfectly OK for you to request an appointment with the pre-law advisors at each of the CSUs near you, and talk with them about your options.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>Thank you Happymom, your feedbacks are excellent. </p>
<p>Missmonde</p>
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<p>This info is probably easily available at each school’s website; no need to contact the schools. Within the Financial Assistance pages, they will talk about aid for transfer students.</p>
<p>The school will not tell you they don’t offer merit to transfers because “transfer do not matter so much with regards to their ranking.”</p>
<p>They will tell you their policy; not their reason.</p>
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<p>There are many applicants with equally “out of the ordinary” lives. Doesn’t equate to scholarship awards.</p>
<p>Really, well I can only go with me because I am not them, and ofcourse that is your perception. Honestly, I am in Los Angeles, and the average person I have run into 9times out of 10 does not/did not have any comparable international experience as close to the one I have experienced. But I am digressing, look, I know what I am worth, I guess, I am not here here to convince you or anyone in this board, I know my value, and I know I can bring a lot, I am not saying that alone :ENTITLES me to a full ride, read my OP, I am only trying to find the best STRATEGY to increase my financial aid.</p>
<p>missmonde -do not be mad at posters that have taken the time to answer you just because you don’t like their answers. Many have been researching financial aid for a long time and their advice is true and honest. They are kind to give it to you and could save you a lot of time and effort. It is your choice to use it or not.</p>
<p>Of the colleges you listed UCLA is the only one that offers any merit aid. The others offer need based financial aid. This is quite typical. The most competative schools tend to offer need based aid. It is important to note that the colleges determine your financial need, you do not. I also did a quick check on UCLA and I am including a link to their merit aid page: [University</a> of California - Los Angeles](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/scholarships/los-angeles/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/scholarships/los-angeles/index.html)</p>
<p>Nursekay. Thank you so much. This is the kind of feedbacks I’m looking for. UCLA… Wow, good to know… I wonder what is the poverty guidelines to qualify for need-base aid… Anyone feedbacks??</p>