Education
Meet some USC employees who have taken advantage of the university's generous tuition benefits.
Tuition Assistance
USC's tuition assistance program allows eligible faculty and staff to obtain or finish a degree, or take job-related coursework, tuition-free. Eligible spouses and registered domestic partners may also obtain or finish a degree at a reduced rate; eligible children may obtain free tuition. Tuition assistance is strictly limited to tuition payments and thus does not cover room and board, books, or other fees. Some types of tuition assistance are taxable income. The university's tuition assistance program underwent some changes in 2011; see the Tuition Assistance Benefit Program Document for complete information regarding eligibility and requirements.
Be aware that tuition assistance eligibility does not guarantee the student admission to the university. The prospective student must formally apply for university admission through the standard USC admissions process. An employee must be eligible for tuition assistance (i.e., met any waiting period requirement, etc.) on or before the first day of classes in the semester for which application is made.
Contact Benefits as far in advance as possible for assistance with determining the forms you need to apply for tuition assistance, any tax forms you may need to complete, and the documentation required for establishing dependent relationships. You must complete the appropriate forms before the registrar's settlement deadline for the semester or summer session.
Tuition Exchange
Children who are eligible for tuition assistance are also eligible to compete for scholarships in the Tuition Exchange program, which is not a benefit program but a selective and competitive scholarship program that allows the children to obtain their degrees from other institutions at greatly reduced cost. Tuition Exchange is a nonprofit association of 600+ schools, of which USC is a member, that administers this reciprocal scholarship program for children of eligible employees at participating institutions. The scholarships generally cover approximately 75% to 100% of tuition costs; a few member schools may also cover some other costs (i.e., housing, etc.). Scholarships are primarily for undergraduate study for students seeking their first bachelor's degree. A complete listing of participating institutions is available at the Tuition Exchange website.
USC's Tuition Exchange scholarships will be awarded for eight semesters, renewed each year dependent upon satisfactory academic progress and good conduct. Units used under the Tuition Exchange scholarship program count against unit maximums allowed under the tuition assistance program. Scholarships are awarded based on policies set by each member institution. Each year the Tuition Exchange national office establishes a minimum dollar value that every participating institution must provide.
Eligible employees who wish to participate in the program should carefully review the Tuition Exchange website, then submit a Tuition Exchange application prior to October 1 of their child's senior year in high school (or the year before their anticipated fall semester matriculation). Applications are available from the Tuition Exchange liaison in JHH 101. The liaison may also be contacted at (213) 740-5568 or (213) 740-6963. In addition, participating students must apply for admission through the normal admission process at the institution where they wish to attend.
