Scholarships & Financial Aid

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 the criteria detailed below. Scholarship recipients must enroll full time at USC (at least 12 units each semester) and maintain good academic standing. If an interview is required, candidates will be contacted. Selection for an interview does not imply the awarding of a scholarship or admission to USC. Meeting application requirements and minimum criteria does not guarantee that you will be invited for a scholarship interview or receive a particular scholarship. Recipients of our scholarships often exceed the minimum criteria.

Incoming Student Merit Scholarships

FIRST YEAR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
All Fall 2024 first-year (freshman) applicants to Dornsife who select Early Action as the Preferred Admission Plan and submit a complete application for admission to USC by the Early Action deadline of November 1, 2023 will automatically be considered for a merit scholarship. Selection criteria for merit scholarships include academic excellence, leadership, and community service. The number of awards varies each year. An interview is required for Trustee and Presidential Scholarship finalists. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by the USC Office of Undergraduate Admission in mid-January to schedule a virtual interview. Scholarship interviews take place in late February and early March. Scholarship recipients will be notified by the beginning of April.

TRANSFER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
All Fall 2024 transfer applicants who submit a complete application for admission to USC by February 15, 2024 will automatically be considered for a merit scholarship. Selection criteria for merit scholarships include academic excellence in transferable coursework and rigor of coursework completed. The number of awards varies each year.

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
For a list of additional scholarship opportunities offered by USC, please visit Scholarships. Please note that some of these awards may require separate applications and may have differing application deadlines and eligibility criteria.

First-Year Student Scholarships

Trustee Scholarships: Full-tuition
Presidential Scholarships: Half-tuition
Deans Scholarships: Quarter-tuition

Transfer Student Scholarships

Deans Scholarships: Quarter-tuition

“Since I had only visited USC’s campus during my school holidays, I had never experienced campus life as it is on a daily basis. The Explore Program was not only a way for me to express my passion for USC via the interview but also see where my passions would fit on campus by talking with students and sitting in on classes. If I had any advice, I would say take a deep breath, be true to yourself in the interview, and have an amazing time getting to know not only current students but also the other Explore students, who could end up sitting next to you in classes that fall.”

— Trustee Scholarship recipient

Financial Aid

The University of Southern California administers one of the largest financial aid programs in the United States. We have made a long-standing commitment to meeting 100% of the USC-determined financial need for undergraduates who satisfy all eligibility requirements and meet all deadlines. Thus, it is extremely important for you to submit all necessary paperwork by the stated deadlines.

Cost & Financial aid

A need-based financial aid package may include loans, Federal Work-Study, grants, and scholarships. Loans are borrowed funds which must be repaid with interest, along with any associated fees. If Federal Work-Study eligibility is listed on your financial aid award, you can apply for an approved Federal Work-Study job, most of which are on-campus positions. Students are paid every two weeks for the hours they work and can earn from $800 to $3,500 per year. Grants and scholarships are types of financial aid that do not have to be repaid. Grants and scholarships may be provided by federal and state governments, the university, your specific academic department, community and civic groups, and private industry. Grants are need-based, while scholarships are merit-based. More information on need-based financial aid can be found on the USC Financial Aid website.

Financial Aid Deadlines for Fall 2024

January 9, 2024 Deadline for Early Action First-year Students

February 10, 2024 Deadline for Regular Decision First-year Students

March 2, 2024 Deadline for Transfer Students

QUICK LINKS

Financial Aid

CSS Profile Application

FAFSA Application

Continuing Student Scholarships

Additional scholarship opportunities are available to current, continuing USC students. Current USC students may apply for these scholarships for use in the following academic year. For example, a current USC freshman could apply for a scholarship to be applied toward tuition in their sophomore year. USC Dornsife offers continuing student scholarships to current undergraduate Dornsife majors. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000. Visit Continuing Student Scholarships for more information. For a list of additional scholarship opportunities offered by USC, please visit Scholarships. Please note that some of these awards may require separate applications and may have differing application deadlines and eligibility criteria.