If you find that your college is not the right fit for you, transferring may be the answer. Unfortunately, your financial aid package does not automatically transfer from one college to another. In fact, this is something you will need to factor in when considering transferring. Some colleges make the transition easier by giving you a guaranteed transfer scholarship.
If you are thinking about transferring, speak with the admission office at the colleges you are considering. Ask them what kind of financial aid package you may expect and inquire about transfer scholarships that you may be eligible to receive.
All states have financial aid programs for their residents. Some of these programs effectively reward students who perform at a specific academic level in high school. California, for example, has the CalGrant program that automatically gives money to the top students at each high school to attend a college in the state. Ironically, one of the biggest problems with the program is that many students aren't aware that they are eligible for a CalGrant and don't claim their money.
Many states offer similar entitlement awards. Some are based on academic merit while others on financial need. Awards may be designated for high school seniors, adult students or students in certain fields like nursing, medicine or education. Be aware that some require you to use the money only at colleges within your state.
Getting in-state tuition at a public university can save you thousands of dollars. Take a look at the difference in tuition for the University of California at Berkeley. If you are not a resident of California you will have to pay an additional non-resident fee of US Dollars 10,304 per year. If you are an out-of-state student you will need to pay out-of-state tuition until you can establish state residency. This is easier in some states than others. Texas, for example, does not like students who move to their state just to use their fine educational system and then leave.
One of the residency requirements is that you live in Texas for 12 months without attending a secondary institution. This makes it impossible for any student who goes directly to college in Texas from high school to gain residency. But then again the state motto is: Don't mess with Texas. The University of California system, on the other hand, makes it possible but not easy. To become a resident you need to show three things:
Physical presence. You must have proof that you remained in the state for more than one year. This means not going home for the summer. You actually have to physically be in the state and be able to prove it.
Intent. You must establish ties to the state of California that show you intend to make California your home. This requires giving up any previous residence and getting proof such as a California driver's license.
Financial independence. If both of your parents are non-residents, you must show that you are financially independent. You qualify if you are at least 24 years old, are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, are a ward of the court or both parents are deceased, have legal dependents besides a spouse, are married or are a single student and have not been claimed as an income tax deduction by your parents for the past year for graduate students or past two years for undergraduate students. California's rules are fairly common among the states. If you are planning to attend a public college outside of your own state, contact the admission office and make sure you understand what you need to do to get state residency. Once you do you'll save a bundle, and it's just like winning a guaranteed scholarship.
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