<p>I am a prospective transfer student who finished all the Gen. Ed. and 2 year science courses (math, chemistry, physics, etc.) so I would only have 2, realistically 3 years to go until I get my undergraduate degree. I have applied to USCs petroleum engineering program and have to evaluate the total cost of school versus the potential earnings I will make after graduation. Is it true that the engineering students receive more aid and merit scholarships than those in the non-science degrees? Has there ever been cases where students who attended USC left with less debt than say someone who graduated from a UC? Any advice or comments would be appreciated.</p>
<p>1) It is not true the Engineering students receive any special advantage over non-engineering students in FA or merit awards at USC. The merit awards are pro rated spread throughout all 17 Schools. Logic would suggest that Engineering applicants would have a very competitive pool in their major as most students who are drawn to STEM are very capable in science and math and often do extremely well on the SATs too. But USC’s top merit awards are awarded only to incoming freshmen and you are interested in transferring, correct?</p>
<p>2) Financial Aid is based on FAFSA and CSS Profile, without regard to major, grades, interests… it’s purely a formula based on (what the FA office calculates as) need. </p>
<p>3) Your last question made me smile. I’m sure the children of billionaires leave USC with less debt than the children of nice middle class working families who attend UCLA. It’s really about how USC and/or UCLA qualifies you for FA grant aid. It’s not the sticker price, but the price after all aid is awarded.</p>
<p>4) To answer the question in your title, each individual will have a different answer. Sometimes it is also shaded by what the eventual income could likely be. An Comp Sci engineer might expect to be able to pay back undergrad debt a little more easily than a pre-med who will need hundreds of thousands of dollars to attend med school and will put off making significant earnings for years. I wouldn’t think any undergrad would want to leave college with more than $25,000 in debt, total. Some others might think even that is too much, while others are comfortable with a bit more debt. </p>
<p>Yes, I am transferring. Excuse me for my ignorance on the subject but I am confused as to what transfer students qualify for versus what freshman qualify for. I applied for anything I could get my hands on. Is it possible for me to cut that sticker price of ~60,000 in half? Are there any reliable statistics that provide information on the total debt USC/UC students are left with after transferring, meaning spending 2 or 3 years at their respective university? Also, regarding the scholarships for STEM majors, I had been suggested by my read on the topic that there are more “major specific” scholarships limited to the STEM students than say somebody who is doing humanities. These in total could add up and leave a STEM student who does 4 years with less debt than someone who is doing a non-STEM major. Again, I am not an expert, I just acquire this information from my read on the subject.</p>
<p>^ There are returning student scholarships at USC for non-STEM majors as well as STEM majors. You can search for Georgia girl’s thread on returning student scholarships. </p>
<p>Really, the only thing that should matter to you is how much debt you personally would be in. You will only know this by applying to both schools, filling financial aid documents, getting accepted, and receiving your financial aid package. Then make a decision. Without actually getting in and getting aid, it is all speculation.</p>
<p>You should also read the requirements for a degree in your major from each of the Us you may attend. Engineers at USC (and many other Us) must take a long list of courses. Depending on how many you have taken that will be accepted by the U you transfer into, the number of terms you need for your degree may grow or shorten. </p>
<p>The courses in USC engineering are tough, so do not plan on taking too many per term. I’m sure it is similar for other engineering programs. My understanding is that USC only has limited merit awards for transfers. For UC schools, their merit and FAid info should be on their websites. </p>
<p>$40,000 tops.</p>