Continuing Students
Applying for Financial Aid
This section of our website contains key information to help clarify and explain the financial aid application process for students and their parents.
Eligibility for Funding:
To receive financial aid, students must: be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen (such as permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be undocumented (meeting certain criteria.); admitted to USC, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, and not be in default on prior loans. Undergraduates awarded a California Dream Grant, and who meet all other eligibility requirements may be considered for limited university funding.
First-Year students
Apply for financial aid as soon as possible after you apply for admission to ensure you receive notification of your financial aid eligibility before the May 1 National Candidates Reply Date.
Step 1: FAFSA and CSS Profile
February 10, 2023
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA Application online. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for the low-interest Direct Loan as well as federal and state grants.
Submit as early as October 1, 2022, but no later than February 10, 2023.
Use 2021 parent and student income.
USC’s Federal School Code is 001328. For the most efficient processing, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
CSS Profile Application
Complete the 2023-2024 CSS Profile online. The CSS Profile information, along with your FAFSA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds.
Use your 2021 parent and student income. For the most efficient processing, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Be sure to include your Social Security number.
USC’s CSS School Code is 4852.
USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.
Step 2: Cal Grant
March 2, 2023
California Residents only: Apply for a Cal Grant
Submit the FAFSA and have the school you currently attend or most recently attended submit your certified GPA to the Cal Grant Program.
For the fastest, most secure processing, your school may upload GPA information directly to the California Student Aid Commission's system.
If electronic submission is unavailable, request that your school certify a paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form (available at csac.ca.gov).
AB540-Eligible Students: You must complete the online California Dream Act Application by February 10. Visit dream.csac.ca.gov for the application. You must also submit your GPA Verification Form to CSAC by February 10.
Step 3: Additional Information
As soon as possible, if applicable:
Tax Return Information
Submit student's and parent's federal tax information as soon as possible, if requested. Please log in to access your page and follow the instructions provided. You will need your completed, filed 2021 federal income tax return, along with all schedules and W-2 forms, when submitting this information.
USC does not require state tax returns.
For the fastest processing, submit tax information online. After you submit your tax information, we will update your status and let you know if we need any additional information, including a copy of your tax return for verification purposes.
If you are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2021, submit a completed Student and/or Parent Non-Filing Statement Form.
If parents . . .
Are married and filed separately: Submit information for both tax returns.
Are divorced or separated: Custodial parent must provide information from your 2021 federal tax return. If you filed jointly for 2021, submit information from that return. If the custodial parent has remarried, submit information along with the stepparent. You will be advised if tax information from the noncustodial parent is required.
Are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2021: Submit a completed Parent Non-Filing Statement form.
File a tax return in another country: Submit a Parent Non-Filing Statement form indicating that you are filing a foreign return and attach translated documentation of your income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars. Please also submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.
Information regarding the HEROES Act: If the student or parents are unable to provide requested documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
CSS Profile Form for Noncustodial Parents
If your CSS Profile information indicates that parents are separated, divorced or never married, the noncustodial parent is required to complete the CSS Profile form.
USC will determine an expected contribution for the custodial parent, the noncustodial parent, and the stepparent, as appropriate.
Business Owners
Parents who are business owners must also submit a copy of their business tax documents for each business to the Financial Aid Office. For each business, submit a copy of the federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.
Additional Documentation
Provide copies of tax returns or any other additional documents or information requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 business days of the request.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 days.
Documents submitted to the USC Financial Aid Office become the property of the university and cannot be returned to the student or duplicated for any purpose.
Step 4: Special Circumstances
Families occasionally experience unforeseen changes during the application period and/or academic year (such as a job loss, illness, etc.). If this applies to you, notify the Financial Aid Office in writing, outlining the circumstances. Include copies of appropriate supporting documentation, and write your USC ID number on the first page of each document. You will be contacted if additional documentation is required. For more information, visit Special Circumstances and Appeals.
Checklist
Prospective First-Year Checklist
| FAFSA | fafsa.gov | by February 10, 2023 |
| CSS Profile | profileonline.collegeboard.com | by February 10, 2023 |
| Cal Grant (California residents only) | csac.ca.gov | by March 2, 2023 |
| Tax returns or Non-Filing Statement forms | If requested, within 10 days | |
| Monitor your status |
Transfer students
To be considered for USC Merit Scholarships, apply for admission by February 15. Apply for financial aid by March 2.
Step 1: FAFSA and CSS Profile
March 2, 2023
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA Application online. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for the low-interest Direct Loan and Pell Grant programs.
Apply as early as October 1, but before midnight Eastern Time (9:00 p.m. Pacific Time) on March 2, 2023.
Use your 2021 parent and student income. For the most efficient processing, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
USC’s Federal School Code is 001328.
CSS Profile Application
Complete the 2023-2024 CSS Profile Application online. The CSS Profile information, along with your FAFSA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds.
Use your 2021 parent and student income. For the most efficient processing, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Be sure to include your Social Security number.
USC’s CSS School Code is 4852.
USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.
Step 2: Cal Grant
March 2, 2023
California Residents Only: Apply for a Cal Grant
Transfer Students Not Currently Receiving a Cal Grant:
Submit the FAFSA and have the school you currently attend or most recently attended submit your certified GPA to the Cal Program. For fastest, most secure processing, your school may upload GPA information directly to the California Student Aid Commission's system.
If electronic submission is unavailable, request that your school certify a paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form, available at: csac.ca.gov
Transfer Students Currently Receiving a Cal Grant:
If you received a Cal Grant at your previous college, you will need to transfer the grant to USC after you are admitted, by posting a school change at WebGrants for Students.
Step 3: Additional Information
As soon as possible, if applicable:
Tax Return Information
Submit student's and parent's federal tax information as soon as possible, if requested. Please log in to access your page and follow the instructions provided. You will need your completed, filed 2021 federal income tax return, along with all schedules and W-2 forms, when submitting this information.
USC does not require state tax returns.
For the fastest processing, submit tax information online. After you submit your tax information, we will update your status and let you know if we need any additional information, including a copy of your tax return for verification purposes.
If you are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2021, submit a completed Student and/or Parent Non-Filing Statement Form.
If parents . . .
Are married and filed separately: Submit information for both tax returns.
Are divorced or separated: Custodial parent must provide information from their 2021 federal tax return. If parents filed jointly for 2021, submit information from that return. If the custodial parent has remarried, submit information along with the stepparent. You will be advised if tax information from the noncustodial parent is required.
Are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2021: Submit a completed Parent Non-Filing Statement form.
File a tax return in another country: Submit a Parent Non-Filing Statement form indicating that you are filing a foreign return and attach translated documentation of your income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars. Please also submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.
Information regarding the HEROES Act: If the student or parents are unable to provide requested documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
CSS Profile Form for Noncustodial Parents
If your Profile information indicates that parents are separated, divorced or never married, the noncustodial parent is required to complete the CSS Profile form.
USC will determine an expected contribution for the custodial parent, the noncustodial parent, and the stepparent, as appropriate.
Special Circumstances
If your family has special
circumstances you would like us to consider, such as job loss, salary
decrease or illness, please submit details and supporting
documentation.
Business Owners
Parents who are business owners must also submit a copy of their business tax documents for each business to the Financial Aid Office. For each business, submit a copy of the federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.
Additional Documentation
Provide copies of tax returns or any other additional documents or information requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 business days of the request.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 days.
Documents submitted to the USC Financial Aid Office become the property of the university and cannot be returned to the student or duplicated for any purpose.
Step 4: When You Will Be Notified
Students must pay close attention to deadlines, and respond to any additional requests from USC within 10 days. If the student meets all deadlines and eligibility requirements, and promptly submits any additional requested documentation, he or she will be notified seven (7) business days after being admitted.
Students can monitor their financial aid status by logging in to the page. The Financial Aid Summary will be viewable online only.
Checklist
Prospective Transfer Checklist
| FAFSA | fafsa.gov | by March 2, 2023 |
| CSS Profile | profileonline.collegeboard.com | by March 2, 2023 |
| Cal Grant (California residents only) | csac.ca.gov | by March 2, 2023 |
| Tax returns or Non-Filing Statement forms | If requested, within 10 days | |
| Monitor your status |
Continuing students
Be sure to meet all deadlines and eligibility requirements to be considered for need-based financial aid. Remember that continuing students must reapply for financial aid each year. Students who miss any deadline or do not respond in a timely manner to requests for additional information may receive reduced financial aid, based on available funding.
Step 1: FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1, but no later than March 2.
Submit the application at studentaid.gov.
Use your 2021 parent and student income. For the most efficient processing, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
USC’s Federal School Code is 001328.
Check your USC email or your page to determine your next steps.
Step 2: Cal Grant
March 2, 2023
California Residents Only: Apply for a Cal Grant
California residents who have completed fewer than 24 units at USC and are not currently receiving a Cal Grant must apply.
If you are currently receiving a Cal Grant or if you have completed 24 units or more units at USC, we will automatically upload your GPA information to the California Student Aid Commission.
If you have completed less than 24 units at USC, download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Fill out the student portion of the form and sign it.
Ask the registrar at the school you attended prior to USC to verify your GPA (grade point average) on the form. Make a copy of the form for your records and mail it to California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 2023.
If you have completed 24 or more units at USC, we will automatically upload your GPA information to the California Student Aid Commission.
Step 3: Additional Information
As soon as possible, if applicable:
CSS Profile
To determine your eligibility for institutional financial aid, you may be required to complete an additional step. Please view your status by logging in to to find out if you need to complete this step.
Submit the application at collegeboard.org/cssprofile.
Use your 2021 parent and student income. For the most efficient processing, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Be sure to include your Social Security number.
USC’s CSS School Code is 4852.
USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.
Tax Return Information
Submit student's and parent's federal tax information as soon as possible, if requested. Please log in to access your page and follow the instructions provided. You will need your completed, filed 2021 federal income tax return, along with all schedules and W-2 forms, when submitting this information.
USC does not require state tax returns.
For the fastest processing, submit tax information online. After you submit your tax information, we will update your status and let you know if we need any additional information, including a copy of your tax return for verification purposes.
Students and parents not legally required to file a 2021 federal income tax return must:
If you are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2021, submit a completed Student and/or Parent Non-Filing Statement Form.
If parents . . .
Are married and filed separately: Submit information for both tax returns.
Are divorced or separated: Custodial parent must provide information from their 2021 federal tax return. If you filed jointly for 2021, submit information from that return. If the custodial parent has remarried, submit information along with the stepparent. You will be advised if tax information from the noncustodial parent is required.
Are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2021: Submit a completed Parent Non-Filing Statement form.
File a tax return in another country: Submit a Parent Non-Filing Statement form indicating that you are filing a foreign return and attach translated documentation of your income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars. Please also submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.
Information regarding the HEROES Act: If the student or parents are unable to provide requested documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
CSS Profile Form for Noncustodial Parents
If your CSS Profile information indicates that parents are separated, divorced or never married, the noncustodial parent is required to complete the CSS Profile form.
USC will determine an expected contribution for the custodial parent, the noncustodial parent, and the stepparent, as appropriate.
Business Owners
Parents who are business owners must also submit a copy of their business tax documents for each business to the Financial Aid Office. For each business, submit a copy of the federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.
Additional Documentation
Provide copies of tax returns or any other additional documents or information requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 business days of the request.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 days.
Documents submitted to the USC Financial Aid Office become the property of the university and cannot be returned to the student or duplicated for any purpose.
Step 4: When You Will Be Notified
Students must pay close attention to deadlines, and respond to any additional requests from USC within 10 days. If the student meets all deadlines and eligibility requirements, and promptly submits any additional requested documentation, he or she will be notified by the end of June. Late applicants will be notified by the end of July.
Students can monitor their financial aid status at their page. The Financial Aid Summary will be viewable online only.
