The family contribution is determined by subtracting the financial aid total from the student's cost of attendance. You can pay in several ways:

• From savings or current income. (Pay the USC Cashier's Office directly)
• With the USC Payment Plan, which enables students to establish a line of credit for tuition, fees, university housing and other student expenses. The plan is billed in five monthly installments per semester. There is a fee of $40. For more information, visit the Student Financial Services website.
• With loans for all or part of this amount. If you do apply for loans, you should apply for the entire academic year.

FEDERAL LOANS

• If you choose to take out loans for all or part of the family contribution, start with the Federal Parent PLUS Loan. It has a low fixed interest rate (currently 8.5%), requires no collateral and does not impose an early repayment penalty.
• If (and only if) the parents were declined for the Parent PLUS Loan, the student may take out an additional unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan to cover part of the family contribution.

STUDENT PRIVATE FINANCING

In most cases, students who choose to use private financing to cover all, or part, of the family contribution will need a credit-worthy co-borrower. Applying with a credit-worthy co-borrower may substantially reduce interest and fees on a private financing loan. For more informatioin, see the Private Financing section of this website.