Financial Aid
  • Undergraduate Financial Aid
  • Applying for Financial Aid

Applying for Financial Aid

Introduction

This section explains the financial aid application process for students and their parents applying for the 2025-2026 academic year. Remember that continuing students must reapply for financial aid every year.

Note: If you still need to apply for financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year, please submit a 2024-2025 CSS Profile and FAFSA or CADAA as soon as possible.

 

When You Will Be Notified

  • Pay close attention to deadlines and respond to any additional requests from USC within 10 days.
  • Provided you have met all deadlines and eligibility requirements, including promptly submitting any additional documentation that we request, you will receive notification regarding your financial aid summary seven (7) business days after you have been admitted.
  • You can track your financial aid status by logging in to FAST. Your financial aid summary will be viewable online only.

Prospective First-Year Students

  • 1

    Deadlines:

    December 13, 2024: Early Action applicants

    Applications received by this date will be prioritized for review.

    February 5, 2025: Regular Decision applicants

     

    Application Requirements

    U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: FAFSA and CSS Profile

    Undocumented and DACA Students: CSS Profile and if eligible, California Dream Act (CADAA)

     

    Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    The FAFSA determines your eligibility for low-interest Federal Direct Loans, as well as federal and state grants. Complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA online:

      • Any contributors to the FAFSA (including the student and parents) will need to consent to having their 2023 tax return information imported directly from the IRS.
      • Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

    Submit your application as soon as the FAFSA becomes available but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

    NOTE: The document request will remain on your FAST portal until we receive your FAFSA data from the Department of Education. We appreciate your patience.

     

    California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

    The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows undocumented students who meet certain criteria to apply for state grants. California students who meet the eligibility requirements should complete the CADAA (instead of the FAFSA) if they are undocumented, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or if they hold a U visa. CADAA online:

      • Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

    Submit your application as soon as the CADAA becomes available but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above. Students should not submit both the CADAA and FAFSA.

     

    CSS Profile Application

    The Profile, along with your FAFSA or CADAA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds. Complete the 2025-2026 CSS Profile online:

      • Use your 2023 parent and student income.
      • Be sure to include your Social Security number (if you have one).
      • Enter USC’s CSS School Code: 4852.

    Submit your application as soon as October 1 but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

    Note: USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.

    Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the “Required Information and Forms” page of your FAST portal until early November.

  • 2

    March 3, 2025

    To apply:

    • Submit your FAFSA or CADAA by the appropriate deadline.
    • Have the school you most recently attended submit your certified GPA to the Cal Grant Program.

    For the quickest, most secure way to submit your GPA information, have your school upload it directly to the California Student Aid Commission’s system.

    If your grade information cannot be submitted electronically, have your school certify and submit a paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form, available at csac.ca.gov.

  • 3

    Please provide any requested documentation within 10 business days.

    Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms page of your FAST portal until early November.

 

Prospective First-Year Checklist

FAFSA (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents) fafsa.gov December 13, 2024, for Early Action applicants

February 5, 2025, for Regular Decision applicants
CSS Profile (All domestic students) profileonline.collegeboard.org December 13, 2024, for Early Action applicants

February 5, 2025, for Regular Decision applicants
CADAA (Undocumented California students who meet certain criteria only) dream.csac.ca.gov December 13, 2024, for Early Action applicants

February 5, 2025, for Regular Decision applicants
Cal Grant (California residents only) csac.ca.gov March 3, 2025
Tax returns or Non-Filing Statement forms FAST Within 10 days of the Financial Aid Office’s request
Track your status FAST

Prospective Transfer Students

  • 1

    Deadline: March 3, 2025

    Application Requirements

     

    Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    The FAFSA determines your eligibility for low-interest Federal Direct Loans, as well as federal and state grants. Complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA online:

      • Any contributors to the FAFSA (including the student and parents) will need to consent to having their 2023 tax return information imported directly from the IRS.
      • Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

    Submit your application as soon as the FAFSA becomes available but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

     

    California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

    The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows undocumented students who meet certain criteria to apply for state grants. California students who meet the eligibility requirements should complete the CADAA (instead of the FAFSA) if they are undocumented, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or if they hold a U visa. Complete the 2025-2026 CADAA online:

      • Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

    Submit your application as soon as the CADAA becomes available but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above. Students should not submit both the CADAA and FAFSA.

     

    CSS Profile Application

    The Profile, along with your FAFSA or CADAA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds. Complete the 2025-2026 CSS Profile online:

      • Use your 2023 parent and student income.
      • Be sure to include your Social Security number (if you have one).
      • Enter USC’s CSS School Code: 4852.

    Submit your application as soon as October 1 but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

    Note: USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.

  • 2

    March 3, 2025

    Transfer Students Not Currently Receiving a Cal Grant:

      • Submit the FAFSA or CADAA by the March deadline.
      • Have your most recently attended school submit your certified GPA to the Cal Grant Program.

    For the quickest, most secure way to submit your GPA information, have your school upload it directly to the California Student Aid Commission’s system.

    If your grade information cannot be submitted electronically, have your school certify and submit 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:

  • 3

    Please provide any requested documentation within 10 business days.

    Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms page of your FAST portal until early November.

 

Prospective Transfer Checklist

FAFSA (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents) studentaid.gov by March 3, 2025
CSS Profile (All domestic students) cssprofile.collegeboard.org by March 3, 2025
CADAA (Undocumented California students who meet certain criteria only) dream.csac.ca.gov by March 3, 2025
Cal Grant (California residents only) csac.ca.gov by March 3, 2025
Tax returns or Non-Filing Statement forms FAST Within 10 days of the Financial Aid Office’s request
Track your status FAST

Continuing Undergraduate Students

  • 1

    Deadline: No later than March 3, 2025. 

     

    Application Requirements

      • U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: FAFSA
      • Undocumented and DACA students: CADAA, if eligible

    Note: Submit CSS Profile only if requested.

     

    Complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA online:

      • Submit the application at fafsa.gov
      • Any contributors to the FAFSA (including the student and parents) will need to consent to having their 2023 tax return information imported directly from the IRS.
      • Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

    Submit your application as soon as the FAFSA becomes available but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

     

    California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

    The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows undocumented students who meet certain criteria to apply for state grants. California students who meet the eligibility requirements should complete the CADAA (instead of the FAFSA) if they are undocumented, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or if they hold a U visa. Complete the 2025-2026 CADAA online:

      • Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

    Submit your application as soon as the CADAA becomes available but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above. Students should not submit both the CADAA and FAFSA.

  • 2

    March 3, 2025

    If you are currently receiving a Cal Grant or if you have completed 24 units or more at USC, we will automatically upload your GPA information to the California Student Aid Commission.

    If you have completed fewer than 24 units at USC and are not currently receiving a Cal Grant, you must apply.

    • 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 on the form. Make a copy of the form for your records and mail it to California Student Aid Commission by March 3, 2025.
  • 3

    Please provide any requested documentation within 10 business days.

    Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the “Required Information and Forms” page of your FAST portal until early November.

 

Continuing Undergraduate Student Checklist

FAFSA (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents) fafsa.gov March 3, 2025
CSS Profile (All domestic students) profileonline.collegeboard.org Only if requested
CADAA (Undocumented California students who meet certain criteria only) dream.csac.ca.gov/ by March 3, 2025
Cal Grant (California residents only) csac.ca.gov March 3, 2025
Tax returns or Non-Filing Statement forms FAST Within 10 days of the Financial Aid Office’s request
Track your status FAST

 

Forms and Documents

Tax Return Information

Financial Aid is working with Veri-Tax to simplify the way you and your parent(s) submit the 2023 Federal tax information. If your tax information is requested, all you need to do is fill out a 4506-C form sent by Veri-Tax, and our office will manage the next step. Keep an eye out for an email from Veri-Tax with more information, if applicable.

For parent(s) who…

Are married and filed separate 2023 federal tax return:

  • Submit information from both tax returns.

Are divorced or separated and do not live together:

  • Provide information from your custodial parent’s 2023 federal tax return.
  • If your custodial parent has remarried, submit information for your parent and stepparent.
  • You will be notified if we require your noncustodial parent’s tax information.
  • If your parents filed jointly for 2023, submit information from that joint return.

CSS Profile Form for Noncustodial Parent

  • If your CSS Profile marital status indicates that your parents are separated, divorced or never married, your noncustodial parent is also 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.

Are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2023:

  • Submit a completed Parent Non-Filing Statement form.

File a tax return in another country:

  • Submit a Parent Non-Filing Statement form indicating that they are filing a foreign return.
  • Attach translated documentation of their income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars.
  • Submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.

Qualify under the HEROES Act:

  • If you or your parents are unable to provide documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.

Are Business Owners:

  • 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.

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.
  • Write your USC ID number on the first page of each document.

You will be contacted if we require any additional documentation.

For more information, visit Special Circumstances and Appeals.

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.