FAFSA only offered $5,500 loan - Can my daughter transfer to UC after 1 year of community college?

Hi there! I work in college admissions counseling and can share some insights. Transferring to a UC after just 1 year is technically possible but can be challenging. UC schools generally prefer students to complete specific transfer requirements which typically take 2 years. Regarding deferral - most UC campuses don't have a formal deferral process like private universities do. Your daughter would likely need to reapply as a transfer student. However, policies vary by campus, so definitely call on Monday! One important note: if she goes the community college route, she should work with a counselor immediately to create a transfer plan that ensures all her credits will count toward her intended major. The UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program is worth looking into, though it requires completing the full transfer pattern.

my son did this exact thing!!! went to CC for 1 yr then UC Berkeley. it CAN be done but he had to take like 21 units each semester to get all the requirements. super stressful. make sure she talks 2 a counselor who knows EXACTLY which classes will transfer. not all do! good luck

Something to consider: while the subsidized loan is helpful, your daughter might want to file a financial aid appeal with the UC financial aid office if you've had any change in circumstances since filing the FAFSA. Sometimes schools have institutional aid not reflected in your FAFSA offer. As for the transfer question, the UC Transfer Pathway program (https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/transfer-requirements/uc-transfer-programs/transfer-pathways/) outlines specific major preparation that usually takes 2 years. However, if she's already been accepted, she could inquire about deferring enrollment while taking specific courses at community college that would count toward her major. This varies by campus and department though.

Congrats to your daughter on her UC acceptance!! That's amazing! I'm actually a transfer counselor at a California community college. The honest truth is that UCs strongly prefer 2-year transfers who have completed full IGETC or at minimum all major prep courses. One-year transfers are possible but extremely competitive and usually only work with very specific conditions. Deferral policies vary by campus. Some UCs allow a 1-quarter/semester deferral for special circumstances, but full year deferrals are rarely approved. She would most likely need to reapply as a transfer student. I'd recommend she: 1) Call both admissions AND the specific department/major she's interested in 2) Ask specifically what courses would transfer for her major 3) Get everything in writing The financial savings are significant, but she needs to weigh that against possibly losing her spot.

Everyone here gave good advice, but there's another angle: have you tried calling the Federal Student Aid office directly? I spent WEEKS trying to get through to ask about my son's unusual financial situation (parents divorced, one remarried with new dependents). The wait times were insane, kept getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr.com to get through to a FAFSA agent in 10 minutes instead of hours on hold. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ With your daughter's situation, I'd definitely talk to both the UC financial aid office AND the federal student aid people to see if there are any options you're missing. Sometimes there are special circumstances they can consider.

My daughter got into UCLA but went to community college first. BIG MISTAKE!!! She ended up staying 3 years cuz classes were always full and she couldn't get what she needed. Now has student loans anyway and lost her spot at UCLA. just my 2 cents but id take the sure thing if she got in already

Hi, I'm actually a student who transferred from a CC to UC Davis after one year! It is possible but SUPER dependent on your major. If your daughter is pursuing something in humanities/social sciences, it might be doable. For STEM majors, almost impossible in one year because of the sequence of prerequisites. The key things that worked for me: 1. I took 18-20 units each semester (including summer sessions) 2. I had AP credits from high school that fulfilled some requirements 3. I worked directly with a UC transfer specialist at my CC from day one 4. I focused on completing major prerequisites rather than all general education I saved about $30k by doing this, but honestly, it was incredibly stressful. If she has the option to defer, that would be ideal, but most UCs don't offer that option except in very special circumstances.

One more thing to consider - make sure your daughter knows about the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. If she goes to CC for 2 years and meets specific requirements, she can get a guaranteed admission to one of six UC campuses (Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, or Santa Cruz). This wouldn't work for a 1-year transfer, but might be worth considering if she's worried about getting back into a UC. She should also check if her specific UC offers any special scholars programs for transfers. Some have special pathways for certain majors or partnerships with specific community colleges.

btw your daughters eligible for unsubsidized loans too not just the subsidized ones! maybe another 5500 i think? ppl forget those sometimes. its still loans but might help with decision