APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID

Continuing undergraduate students must meet all deadlines and eligibility requirements  to be considered for need-based financial aid.  Students who miss any deadline will be considered for reduced financial aid.

March 2, 2011

• CSS/PROFILE Application
  Complete the 2011-2012 PROFILE Application online by midnight Eastern Standard Time (9 p.m. Pacific Standard Time) on March 2, 2011. This form, along with your FAFSA information, is used to determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds. 
• Use your best estimates of 2010 parent and student income.
• Be sure to include your Social Security number.
• USC’s CSS School Code is 4852.
• USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.
• USC does not require the CSS Non-Custodial Parent form or the CSS Business Supplemental Form.

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  Complete the 2011-2012 FAFSA Application online by midnight Eastern Standard Time (9 p.m. Pacific Standard Time) on March 2, 2011. The form is used to determine your for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and Pell Grant Programs.
• Use your best estimates of 2010 parent and student income.
• USC’s Federal School Code is 001328.
• Apply as early as January 2, 2011, but before the May 2, 2011 deadline.

• Apply for a Cal Grant, if applicable:
  California residents who have completed fewer than 24 units at USC and are not currently receiving a Cal Grant must apply. The Cal Grant equals about $9,708 annually at USC.
  
  If you are current receiving a Cal Grant, skip to Step 4. 
• If you have completed less than 24 units at USC, download the 2011-2012 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Fill out the student portion of the form and sign it.
• Ask the registrar at the school you attended prior to USC to verify your GPA (grade point average) on the form.
• Make a copy of the form for your records and mail it to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 2011.
• If you have completed 24 or more units at USC, we will automatically upload your GPA information to the California Student Aid Commission.

May 2, 2011

• Student and Parent Federal Income Tax Return Information or Non-Filing Statement Forms
  Please visit My Financial Aid & Documents and log in following the instructions provided.
  • Submit information regarding student and parent 2010 federal income tax returns, including all schedules and W-2 forms.
    • NEW for 2011-2012: For faster, more efficient processing, students and their families can now submit their tax information online through our form at "My Financial Aid & Documents."
      • Your tax information will not be stored anywhere online and will remain completely secure.
      • In most cases, your student record will be updated within 24 hours.
      • Students will need to grant their parents access through an e-mail invitation, which will include a link and temporary PIN.
    • Please note: At this time, the Online Tax Information Form is compatible with only IRS Form 1040.  We hope to support Forms 1040A and 1040EZ in the future.
  • USC does not require state tax returns.
Students and parents not legally required to file a 2010 federal income tax return:
• If you are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2010, submit a completed 2011–2012 Student Non-Filing Statement Form.
• If your parents are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2010, submit a completed 2011–2012 Parent Non-Filing Statement Form.

If your parents . . .

• are married and filed separately: Submit information for both tax returns.
• are divorced or separated: Provide information from your custodial parent's 2010 federal tax return. If your parents filed jointly for 2010, submit information from that return. If your custodial parent has remarried, submit information for him/her and your stepparent. You will be advised if tax information from your non-custodial parent is required.
• are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2010: Submit a completed 2011–2012 Parent Non-Filing Statement form.
• file a tax return in another country : Submit a 2011-2012 Parent Non-Filing Statement form indicating that they are filling a foreign return and attach translated documentation of their income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars. Please also submit a completed 2011-2012 Parent Income and Expense form.

As Soon As Possible, If Applicable:

• Custodial Parent Form
  Submit the 2011-2012 USC Custodial Parent Form, with appropriate documentation, to the Financial Aid Office. For document submission instructions, visit www.usc.edu/contactfao.
  • Completing this form is required only if your custodial parent is currently single, divorced, separated, remarried, or was never married.
  • USC does not require the CSS Non-Custodial Parent Form.
  • USC will determine an expected contribution for the custodial parent, the non-custodial parent, and the stepparent, as appropriate.
• Special Circumstances
  If your family has special circumstances you would like us to consider such as job loss, salary decrease or illness, please submit a detailed letter and supporting documentation.
• Business Owners
  Parents who are business owners must also submit a copy of their business tax documents to the Financial Aid Office. Submit a copy of your K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return, for each business.