Torn between HCC and UTSA

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi everyone, I am going to be graduating from high school this year, and I know it's really late, but I am still not sure where I am going to go for college next year. Just a couple of months ago, I thought that I was set with going to UTSA through the CAP program and hoped to transfer to UTA the following year. However, after receiving my financial aid award offer, my parents realized that we probably wouldn't be able to meet the EFC (by the way, can someone also tell me how the EFC is calculated? Mine is above 6000 but I know alot of other friends who's parents make much more money than mine do and have an EFC of around 1000 something). </p>

<p>Then my cousin, who has had alot of experience dealing with being in debt for college, recommended that I think about attending Houston Community College (HCC) since it's cheaper and all the credits there for prereqs are transferrable to UT Austin. He said that as long as I maintain a high GPA, I could transfer to UTA within two or less years. However, I always thought that it would be hard to transfer from HCC even with a high GPA, but I'm thinking if it would be something to think about according to my currently tight financial situation. What do you think I should do? And also, should I contact FAFSA to see what is up with my financial aid? </p>

<p>Whew lots of questions. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I know people who transferred to UT from community colleges with a 3.5 and over. It is entirely doable. CAP is a guaranteed program though which takes out all the risk. Are you confident in making A’s at HCC?I would do that due to finances. If you can’t make A’s at a community college, UT will be a struggle for you. </p>

<p>I can’t not say something about your UTA abbreviation. That means UT-Arlington. Austin is either UT (the normal way it is written) or UT-Austin.</p>

3

<p>I would go to community college for 1-2 years so that you don’t have to pay the high tution at UTSA for at least a year or two. If you do well, it’s not hard to transfer to a UT system school.</p>