My son would like to transfer to a school in NYC or Long Island after his freshman year. He earned 34 credits but failed two classes which are listed on his transcript.
Are there any schools that are fairly generous with merit scholarships for transfer students? He still is undecided on a major. We plan on looking at Molloy, Hofstra, Adelphi, St. John’s University, Nassau Community ( inexpensive) and Farmingdale ( inexpensive).
I promise this is a straight question, not snark: how are you reconciling “merit” scholarships with a student who has failed two classes?
Merit aid is based on academic achievement even for transfer students. With two failed courses, this will be hard to find, in my opinion.
Merit scholarships are not freely given to transfers, especially not with 2 failed classes after just 1 year.
Wouldn’t count on any 
.
He received over 25k from one of the schools mentioned when he was a hs senior. He received over 35k from the school that he attended. He failed two classes but still has 34 credits. Perhaps, schools will look at the whole picture.
These schools gave him those merit awards based on his high school record which didn’t include two failed courses. Colleges look for how successful a student was in his college courses for transfer students. In my opinion, two failed courses does not look like a successful student.
Plus…he is a transfer student and many (if not most) colleges don’t give much merit aid to transfer students anyway. So…to get merit at a school that doesn’t give much….this would need to be a tippy top student.
You mention two community colleges. Are these affordable for your family? Your son would be able to get a Direct Loan…assuming he met the satisfactory academic progress bar at these colleges (with two failed courses, you would need to check the schools to see if he has met their SAP requirement)…and was a matriculated student.
Was any portion actually financial aid? Financial aid would still be a possibility for a transfer student.
None of these colleges guarantee to meet full need for all accepted students. So need based aid guarantee would be only the Direct Loan, and any portion of the Pell Grant for which the student is eligible. BUT with two failed courses, this student needs to make sure that satisfactory academic progress isn’t an issue. If they haven’t met SAP, they can’t get any need based aid until they do meet SAP.
It was a merit scholarship. Do not qualify for need based aid.
I agree with the others that merit is designed to provide incoming freshmen with incentive to accept an offer of admission. Transfer students rarely get merit, even at schools where they were previously offered merit as incoming freshmen.
If the reason for transferring is because his current merit award was revoked due to his GPA, then I would have him come home and do community college. After CC he could finish his four-year degree at an in-state school, if affordability is still a concern.
So Hofstra, for example, gives “up to” $19,000.
I agree - someone who failed two classes - that’s going to be difficult. Even admission may be difficult.
I would talk to a counselor at each school and use online resources.
Here’s what Hofstra says.
But remember, colleges are marketing to first years - hence the significant merit aid, publishing of #s and the overall marketing message they deliver.
Transfers don’t generally get much aid. What’s his current GPA? That will matter. What do you need the net cost to be?
I know you are asking about merit for your son as a transfer, but really…I think that is going to be a challenge. So…I’m posting an alternate suggestion. And I know this isn’t the advice you are asking for on this thread…
Perhaps your son needs to do college in smaller units. I know you are looking for a four year college with merit aid. But is it possible that community college is affordable for your family for him? He could start by taking one course at a time. Then add a second. Then maybe a third. Get A and B grades…this would demonstrate to a college that he is able to handle college courses. That will help.
If he went this route, he would have his credits from his current college…and then could build on those. Slowly.
When he completes the equivalent of two years of courses, then look to transfer to a four year to complete his bachelors. It might take longer than a couple of years if he takes part time courses. But college is a journey not a race.
On another thread, you mention a local college….would that be an option…perhaps part time to start.
And this would save you money in the long term.
Just to provide an update, all three colleges provided a transfer merit scholarship.