Transferring and financial aid

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>I'm going into my second year at my current university and haven't really found what I want to major in. I'm very interested in film and want to do that but the problem is my current university doesn't offer that so it seems my only option would be to transfer. However, I really don't know if I want to transfer if I'll end up getting very little financial aid. I'm a pretty good student (3.9 gpa first year, honors program) but I don't know if that matters given I'd be transferring in. </p>

<p>For those of you who have transferred with high gpas/"qualifications" how was the financial aid package? I know it depends on the college you're transferring into as well (I'm not strictly looking for a film/art school - I'm just looking for a school that offers it as a program/major). On average, what really are the chances for a transfer student to receive a favorable amount of financial aid, whether it be in grants or scholarships?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I know you’re trying to get a feel for transfer FA, but this is really a case where generalities may do you little good.</p>

<p>Many schools give less FA to transfers, but some treat transfers just like fr students. For publics, it’s mainly UVA and UNC-CH, for privates it tends (there are exceptions) to be the most selective ones with large endowments.</p>

<p>The other part of the puzzle is your family’s financial circumstances (income, assets, other kids in college, etc.). I can tell you that Yale gave us wonderful need based FA as a transfer; but unless your finances are similar and you have the same idea of what a ‘great’ FA package is, it can be very misleading.</p>

3

<p>Also note that the schools that are need blind for first year admissions, aren’t necessarily need blind for transfers.</p>