INFORMATION
ABOUT THE NORMAN TOPPING STUDENT AID FUND

The Norman Topping Student Aid Fund is the only student initiated, student funded,
primarily student administered scholarship in the nation.

The purpose of the Norman Topping Student Aid Fund (NTSAF) is to assist students with high financial need who demonstrate an extraordinary level of community awareness in their pursuit of higher education at the University of Southern California.  Applicants residing in areas surrounding the University Park and Health Science campuses, in addition to first-generation college students, are given primary consideration in the selection process.  Please note that the scholarship is not limited to these populations.

While on campus, the Fund strives to encourage and support Topping scholars in their academic achievements as well as their involvement in community service.  The ultimate goal of the Fund is to help develop a sense of community within the university for all scholars.  To facilitate their involvement and academic development, the NTSAF offers supplemental scholarships to incoming freshmen, transfer and graduate students. The amount of the NTSAF award varies according to the USC Financial Aid package for each scholar. This package process involves combining all available forms of financial aid (state, federal, USC) with the NTSAF award. Through this method, NTSAF undergraduates are able to receive a majority of their financial need debt free.

The NTSAF Goals:

• To create a deepened sense of community among Topping Scholars
• To empower Topping Scholars to take on the challenges they face by providing quality programming and student-centered service
• To encourage Topping Scholars to eagerly embrace the responsibility of student service at the University of Southern California
• To maintain the integrity of the Governing Board as being primarily student administered
• To promote and maintain the original spirit of the Fund

Governance
Charged with maintaining the integrity of the NTSAF, the Governing Board is responsible for the selection of scholars, establish policy, and set the overall direction of the Fund.  In order to achieve this goal, the NTSAF Governing Board collaborates with the NTSAF professional and student staff.  Because the NTSAF is a predominately student run program, current USC students make up a majority of the members of the governing board with staff, faculty, alumni and community representatives filling the rest of the seats.  To learn more about the NTSAF governing board, please click here.