USC administers more than a dozen prestigious scholarship programs, ranging up to full tuition waivers. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. They are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, service, talent and other criteria.

Scholarships will generally change the composition of your financial aid award—in most cases, reducing your student loans or Federal Work-Study. For specific information about your award, contact the Financial Aid Office. You must apply for admission by December 1st to be considered for USC merit scholarships.

AWARD CRITERIA

Award recipients must be enrolled full-time (16 units per semester) at USC and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Recipients of our scholarships often exceed the minimum criteria. Please note that meeting the application requirements and minimum criteria does not imply that you will receive a scholarship.

INTERVIEWS

If an interview is required, you will be contacted. However, selection for an interview does not automatically lead to a scholarship award, or admission to USC. Only admitted applicants are eligible to accept a scholarship.

HOW YOUR ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED

USC bases financial aid decisions on the basis of the availability of funds, university policies, and state and federal regulations. We are required by law to consider all your resources when determining your eligibility. Therefore, any scholarships you receive will change the composition of your financial aid award.

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

If you receive an award from your academic department, we will revise your Statement of Financial Aid Eligibility and notify you.

AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS NOT LISTED IN YOUR STATEMENT

Send us a copy of your award notification so that we can adjust your financial aid award accordingly.

RECEIVING YOUR AWARD MONEY

Grants and scholarships will be automatically credited to your university billing account no later than the Wednesday before the first day of each semester.