Parents’ Guide to Financial Aid

You may know that USC comprises one of the most high-achieving undergraduate populations in the United States. Our students are leaders and innovators, scholars and athletes, artists and entrepreneurs, representing all 50 states and more than 130 countries around the world. What you may not know is that the majority of these students—approximately two-thirds—receive some form of financial aid.

Financing a USC education represents a partnership between the university and students and their families. While we expect families to play a leading role in paying for college, we can help you determine what might work best for your situation.

Here’s how parents can facilitate the process and ensure that students receive the full funding they qualify for.

What Role Do Parents Play in the Financial Aid Process?

We encourage you to review financial aid materials with your student(s) and discuss which options might work best for your family’s circumstances. You can also help your student understand their responsibilities and the implications of each payment option.

In addition, be sure to:

• Be aware of the application deadlines and submit any requested information as soon as possible. Both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile will ask you to provide details about your family’s finances so that we can determine how much federal and university aid your student may be eligible for. Please visit the Dates and Deadlines page for details.
• Provide tax return information or other documentation within 10 days of USC’s request. Most information can now be submitted online.
• If you are applying for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, check your email for updates from studentaid.gov. If you are approved for a PLUS loan, you will be notified by email when your Master Promissory Note is ready to be signed online.

Keep in mind that while parents are important partners in the financial aid process, all notifications and requests for information will be emailed directly to the student.

Managing the Family Contribution

Students and families can choose from a range of options to cover any remaining balance on the tuition and fee bill.

• Pay the USC Cashier’s Office directly from savings or current income.
• Sign up for the USC Payment Plan, which allows students to establish an interest-free line of credit for tuition, fees, university housing and other student expenses. The plan is billed in five monthly installments per semester. The application fee is $50. Visit Student Financial Services to learn more.
• Use the USC Prepayment Plan, which allows participants to prepay up to five years of full-time tuition and mandatory fees for their admitted student(s). More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
• Borrow loans for all or part of this amount. Be sure to borrow enough to cover the entire academic year. Occasionally, we use the parent email address listed on the FAFSA or CSS Profile to communicate directly with parents.

Federal Loans

• If you choose to take out loans, start with the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, which features a fixed interest rate and does not require collateral or impose an early repayment penalty.
• If (and only if) your application for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is denied, your student may borrow an additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan to cover part of the family contribution.

Private Financing

In most cases, students who use private financing will need to apply with a credit-worthy co-borrower. This can substantially reduce interest and fees. Visit our Private Financing section for more information.

Special Circumstances

If your family experiences any unforeseen changes to your income or expenses, you can request a re-evaluation of your student’s financial aid summary. Visit Special Circumstances and Appeals for details.

We understand that cost is a key consideration when deciding where your student will attend college. The following estimates will help you plan for your student’s education. Some expenses may be paid out of pocket, while others will need to be financed through other means.

Paying for an education represents a partnership between the university and students and their families. While we expect each student’s family to play a leading role in financing a college education, we have a long tradition of helping bridge the gap between the cost of attendance and what families can afford to pay out of pocket.

Please note: To receive the full amount of aid your student may qualify for, they must meet the eligibility requirements and submit their aid application(s) by the appropriate deadlines.

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance

A college degree represents a significant investment, not just in a student’s education but in their future. But with the costs of higher education rising, and the length of time required to complete a degree increasing, college may seem out of reach or impractical for many. The reality is that a college education may be more affordable than you imagined, even if your student chooses to attend a private university.

If you would like to learn more about financial aid and the financial aid process at USC, we encourage you to download our Investing In Your Future: Financial Aid and USC booklet.

Need help applying for financial aid? This section clarifies and explains the application process for students and their parents applying for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Add these dates to your calendar! Students should meet these deadlines to ensure they receive their funds in time to pay their tuition and fees.

First-Year and Transfer Students

Continuing Students

Special circumstances refer to any changes in your family’s finances, enrollment plans, or living situation that may affect the cost of attendance or their Student Aid Index. Students may submit information about these circumstances and/or submit an appeal to have their financial aid eligibility adjusted.