Transfer vs Gap Year?

With a 30 ACT, 4.0 GPA my net cost for Temple would be $39,000/year. (Includes 5k merit 5k grant plus room and board)

I just received my scores for February ACT, 33. Everyone on forums that has a 33 either got $18,000 merit or full tuition. However the admissions office told me they can’t consider my 33 because it’s February.

I am seriously considering not attending next year (even though I have already attended accepted students day, found roommate, bought TU gear & everything) and instead either attending community for a year (which I don’t want to do because I don’t want to live with my parents) or taking a gap year and either working full time or traveling to a third-world country through some type of program to better the community.

It seems completely unreal to me as everyone I know is just going to a normal 4 year college and that’s been my plan forever. However 39k a year plus interest from all the loans will kill me, and if my scores were a month earlier I could save over $100,000.

However I heard that transfer students don’t get as much money (which is why I was considering the gap year traveling more and applying as a freshman). What’s my best option?

@ally22 is what admissions said in writing anywhere; if not you could appeal maybe? Do not not go if Temple is what you want. You will regret it. (I’m a Temple freshman–I commute so it is a savings).

http://sfs.temple.edu/financial-aid-types/scholarships/new-incoming-students
I see the Feb. 1st deadline but can not find score prerequisites. Sometimes schools just do not budge. One of my closest friends was accepted to Villanova and was offered less than their average financial aid award when clearly her single parent household was in need. She did not want to loan herself out either (esp. that first year when 'Nova housing triples most non-athletes) and went to the school who gave her the most money.

Do you know for sure that transfer students can get an $18,000 merit award? Or is it only for new freshmen?

@CheddarcheeseMN what i’ve found out is that transfers get little to no money at all so it’s either have my appeal be successful, accept 40k/year or take a gap year.

@ally22 A gap year spent working would also allow you to save some $ to put toward expenses next year. To maintain freshman status and be eligible for merit aid, take no college classes, transfers do not receive much or any merit aid.

You, the student, may only borrow the following amounts yourself, $5500 freshman year, $6500 Sophomore year, $7500 junior and senior years, $27k total. Any additional amounts above that would need to be borrowed by your parents or another financially qualified adult borrower. Would your parents be able and willing to borrow $130k+ for Temple? Frankly, it is not a good idea to borrow that much.

@mamag2855 thank you. and no there’s no way that could work out. still waiting to hear back, it’s been 2 weeks since i appealed!

@ally22 I hope that your appeal is successful, if not, a gap year could definitely be a good option. You could work to build up some savings for college expenses, and also continue/ try some new volunteer activities to add to your applications.

@ally22 if you’ve heard good news by now just ignore this but if not, be sure that taking the gap year will allow you to use your Feb. scores. Temple may just put your admission on hold and not offer you any more next year. I’d get written confirmation from the admissions office.