So I decided on going to UCLA as a transfer student, and for all the UCs I applied. I got NOTHING for financial aid. (filled out the FAFSA on time). It seems like almost everyone I know is getting at least something, which makes me wonder what exactly I’m doing wrong. What are some ways you can get financial aid as upper middle class? My dad makes around the 200K+ range.
Since you filed the FAFSA, you can borrow the federal student loan. But that will be about it unless UCLA has merit-based scholarships for transfer students that you would qualify for. Check the website carefully. Does your department have any scholarships?
@happymomof1 Thanks for the info. Yeah the loans will come in handy. I’ll look into my department to see if I could get anything. I also hear people use third-party sites/organizations to get aid. I was just hoping that I didn’t do something wrong and that’s why I didn’t get any aid. But I probably just don’t qualify for it because of my dad.
$200k is far from upper middle class. $50k is the median US income. Upper class is $175k ±
Why would you expect to get need-based aid at that income level?!
Are you instate for CA?
The reason you got NO need based aid from UCLA…
- You father earns $200,000 a year. That alone would make your FAFSA EFC over $50,000 a year...which exceeds the cost of attendance at UCLA for instate students.
The reason you got no merit aid from UCLA…
- The school gives precious little need based aid to transfer students.
Are you the student who might attend dental or medical school? If so…FYI, if you get accepted, there isn’t usually aid for medical or dental school either.
So…what can you do?
- Hope you and your family have a plan for funding your years at UCLA, because if you don’t, you won’t be able to take your courses. The school likes to be paid.
- You are a transfer. If a sophomore, you get $6500 in federally funded student loans. If a junior, you get $7500.
- Can your parents contribute anything out of current earnings?
- Get a summer job...or two.
@Ironmaiden There can be many reasons why someone earning $200K can’t contribute $50K for college.
- Maybe they just recently achieved the high income level and have had big gaps in employment.
- High debt.
- No pension and need to prioritize retirement.
- Have other children who also need college funds.
- Live in a high tax state like NJ, NY, IL, or CA where significant income goes to taxes.
Many people can’t come up with their EFC whether it is 8K or 50K.
Students need to figure out another way to get the education if the money isn’t available.
Probably not going to come from need-based financial aid, with a $200K salary, however.
Ok…you are right…but if those many reasons exist…then the student can NOT afford to attend a college that costs $50,000 a year or more out of pocket for the family.
They need to find a more affordable option.
@thumper1 Exactly. They either need to find merit scholarships, or another college that is more affordable. This student was looking for options, and sort of got scolded for being upper middle class and not really needing it. I was just trying to show that even a seemingly wealthy individual may not be able to give the child all the money they want for college.
Lots and lots of families in this boat.
I think he was asking if there could be a mistake as everyone was getting some money for school. We can’t know if he did make a mistake on FAFSA or if all those others have a much lower family income.
I just got my renewal for car insurance. Even though I can afford it, I want to make sure I’m getting all the discounts I’m eligible for. OP wants to make sure he’s getting everything he can.
It doesn’t matter what “everyone he knows” is getting. Schools have the discretion, especially with transfer students, to award merit aid as the school sees fit.
In terms of need based aid, it’s impossible for this student to compare his neeed with anyone else’s…because frankly it’s not likely he knows the whole financial story of everyone else.
It’s very posssible he made no mistake at all. It’s just the way it is.
UCs are pretty simple. As long as the FAFSA was filed I don’t think there was a mistake made. My family makes less than the OPs, has 2 kids in college, and got $1500 off UCSB and that was it for the UCs.
Ditto^.
We had 3 in college and my dd got a $300 scholarship which she immediately used for her books.
@IronMaiden I live in California (Irvine) and people in my area consider 200k+ “upper middle class” (notice I said upper). I guess maybe I’ve lost perspective because of where I live and what I’m accustomed to. Plenty of people I know in my neigborhood, with similar family income as me have received grants and aid for the schools.
@thumper1 I appreciate the information. Maybe my wording misconstrued my message, but it’s not that I can’t afford to go (my dad is more than willing to pay) it’s just that plenty of people in my neighborhood at least got something for their financial aid, which is why I’m looking into options. My parents didn’t go to college in the states, and I’m figuring things out for myself thru the Internet, which is why I am curious as to how I can better my chances for financial aid. I did fortunately get student loans, which we will use. I’m thankful that I am at least a junior transfer, at least I saved a ton of money going to a CC for my underclassmen years.
@twoinanddone You hit it 100%, that’s exactly what I meant.
If his cc classmates who are also transferring to UCs or CSUs are all “getting something,” then they were able to file FAFSA and have an EFC low enough to qualify for Cal Grants or UC grants or both.
Some may actually have highish incomes, but with multiples in college and business deductions, etc, they may have AGIs low enough to qualify. Lots of Calif students would not qualify for aid if they attended CSS profile schools, but do qualify for aid at UCs because FAFSA doesn’t look at income/assets the same way.
And you know this…how? Do you really discuss detailed family finances with other families. You know…even students don’t always understand their family finances, and say things that just might not be accurate.
Stop counting other people’money.
If you can afford to pay then you will have to pay. It is called need based aid for a reason.
There seems to be a lot of unwarranted hostility on this thread. Some of it may simply be that tone of voice is hard to convey over the internet. But, there is nothing wrong in OP trying to figure out if there is anything he should be doing to maximize his aid. No matter what your income, no one wants to be accidentally overcharged. Unfortunately, no one on this forum can give those answers since we don’t have his families detailed financial history. So, while its a fair question, its not one that this board can answer.