Scholarship Guide

Recipients of University Scholarships often receive other USC and private scholarships. Please carefully review this guide, which will explain how other awards from USC or other sources, including need-based financial aid, may affect or be affected by your University Scholarship. Please also note the requirements for renewing your University Scholarship.

USC Competitive Scholarships
If you receive a USC Competitive Scholarship, you will be eligible for up to $2,000 of the University Scholarship.

Tuition Assistance Benefit and Tuition Exchange
If you receive a USC or other university’s tuition assistance benefit or tuition exchange award, it will not affect your University Scholarship unless the total of all scholarships and tuition benefits exceeds your USC Cost of Attendance.

Private Scholarships
If you receive any private, non-university scholarships, the scholarships will not affect the amount of the University scholarship unless the total of all such scholarships exceeds your USC Cost of Attendance.

State Award Based on Need
If you are given a state award based on need (e.g. the Cal Grant for California Residents), the award will not affect the amount of the University Scholarship unless the total of all scholarships and grants exceeds your federal need.

The University Scholarship is renewable for an additional three years (four years for students in the five-year architecture program) if you make normal academic progress toward your undergraduate degree during each academic year (not including summer) and maintain your academic standing with USC. If you are academically disqualified by the USC Office of Academic Records and Registrar and the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures (CAPP), you will lose your scholarship. Readmittance to the university will not restore your eligibility for your scholarship.

You do not need to apply for financial aid to receive your University Scholarship. However, if you wish to be considered for federal, state, or university need-based funds in future years (including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program), you must meet all USC financial aid application requirements and deadlines each year.

Donor Scholarships
The University of Southern California is fortunate to have generous benefactors who have created scholarships for students demonstrating academic excellence and/or financial need. The specific names of these awards vary based on the name of the scholarship donor. In the future we may replace your University Scholarship with a named Donor Scholarship. The terms and conditions for that named Donor Scholarship will remain the same as those listed above for the University Scholarship.

If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.