The ExL Award provides funding for qualified USC undergraduate students at USC Dornsife who wish to participate in experiential learning opportunities such as service-learning, professional conferences, or overseas studies opportunities.
If you are interested in applying for funding for an approved Maymester course or research with a faculty mentor, please apply for SOAR for the fall and spring semesters or SURF for summer programs.
Spring 2025 Priority Application Period: December 5, 2024 to January 16, 2025
Applications received after the priority application deadline will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding may not be available for those applying after the priority deadline.
Award Eligibility Requirements
• Declared major in Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
• 3.0 cumulative USC GPA or better
• Demonstrated financial need
• Dornsife approved program or opportunity
Please note that recipients of SOAR/SURF or the Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship (PURF) cannot be contemporaneously considered for an ExL award.
Please complete the form online and upload the required documents.
With your Course Syllabus or Supporting Documents please include a one-page personal statement – it should detail how the experiential learning opportunity experience will enrich your studies, and provide a general sense who you are. Highlight your achievements, experience at USC so far, interests, and goals. Please include whether or not you have applied for other grants or fellowships.
Applications will be reviewed each semester and awarded based on available funding. Email exl@dornsife.usc.edu with any questions or concerns.
Required Report
ExL recipients are required to submit a one-page summary of the experiential opportunity. Failure to do so renders the student ineligible for ExL funding for the following year and the funding will be rescinded. Students must also be willing to share research findings with Dornsife Advancement and/or Communications.
Report guidelines can be found here.
FAQ
-
Please visit Direct Deposit Stipend Instructions for guidance. This is highly recommended to avoid lost checks.
Be advised that your first installment may arrive as a check mailed to your local home address. Students should always keep all addresses current in OASIS.
-
No. A limited number of ExL awards are available to support learning opportunities such as service-learning, professional conferences, or overseas studies opportunities.
-
No. Recipients of SOAR/SURF cannot be contemporaneously considered for an ExL award.
Contact
ExL Office
3601 Watt Way, GFS Suite 315, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1694