Why is it that transfer students are not eligible to receive federal work study?

I want to transfer to another university, but I have to work and don't have a car. I like being a federal work-study student because of the types of jobs you can get through that program but a friend of mine who was a transfer student did not get federal work study because she was a transfer student. I am also an out of state student which makes finding work a lot tougher for me. Any advice?