<p>I think you can expect significant grants, but there is always a self-help portion that will include a summer earnings expectation of about $3,000 (you are expected to work full-time over the summer and put 100% of your earnings toward your college expenses), work/study during the school year of about $3,000, and Stafford loans. The Stafford limits are higher for independent students, so as a sophomore transfer you can expect $10,500 in Stafford loans (for junior and senior years it will be $12,500 each). [Undergraduate</a> Stafford Loan < Information | StaffordLoan.com](<a href=“What is a Subsidized Student Loan? | Edvisors”>What is a Subsidized Student Loan? | Edvisors)</p>
<p>So your self-help portion will be about $16,500. That would suggest grants/scholarships in the range of about $45,000. However…</p>
<p>The part that worries me is that you mention that you don’t work - did USC request a budget form asking you to show how your bills are paid? When a student is independent and shows an income that is not sufficient to pay their expenses, USC generally requests a budget form that shows how you pay the bills. An assumption is generally made that whatever funds you received to meet expenses in the past will be available to you while in school.</p>
<p>What you can do:</p>
<p>-If you get a great package with ~$45,000 in grants, enjoy!
-If your package is less than you can afford, be sure to appeal - the worst they can do is say no. If applicable, provide documentation of why funds available to you to pay bills in the past are not available while you are in school.
-If you work during the summer* but must use the funds to support yourself over the summer, be sure to document that and ask for more grants.</p>
<p>*Please note that the summer earnings expectation remains even if you choose not to work over the summer! The only way out of it would be to WORK and have to spend the money to support yourself.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>