USC's strong commitment to the study abroad experience is reflected in its policy of allowing all financial aid (grants and loans) to be applied to the cost of semester or year-long overseas programs for up to two semesters abroad.

The Office of Overseas Studies estimates costs for personal and travel expenses (e.g., airfare, passport fees, visa fees, personal expenses, additional travel, etc.) based on information from the program provider and other sources.  After a student has been accepted to a particular study abroad program, the USC Financial Aid office will adjust the student’s financial aid package on the basis of the cost sheet for that program.  Each semester all financial aid recipients who are accepted to a study abroad program are invited to a Financial Aid Meeting, where they get more information on how study abroad may affect their financial aid.

For students who receive financial aid (e.g., grants and loans), the estimated family & student contribution (EFC) remains the same as it would be on campus, regardless of whether the cost of the overseas program is less or more than the cost of a semester or year on campus.