• Printed and Online Catalogue Differences
• About the Catalogue
• A Message from the President
• Senior University Administration
• About USC
• Academic Policies
• Tuition and Fees
• Undergraduate Education
  • Admission
    • Admission of International Students
  • Resident Honors Program
  • USC Learning Communities
  • Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students
    • Satisfactory Academic Progress
    • Financial Aid Policy Regarding Falsification of Financial Aid Information
    • Withdrawal Implications for Recipients of Financial Aid
  • Course Work Taken Elsewhere
    • Transfer Credit
  • Requirements for Graduation
  • The USC Core/General Education
    • General Education Course Lists
    • Diversity Course List
  • Undergraduate Degree Programs
    • Degree Programs
    • Minors
  • International Study Options
• Graduate and Professional Education
• The USC Graduate School
• Interdisciplinary Programs
• The Schools

Undergraduate Education

Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students

Students at USC benefit from federal, state and university financial aid programs administered by the Financial Aid Office and from scholarships, administered by the Office of Admission and various academic departments. USC also offers an interest-free monthly-payment plan, a tuition pre-payment plan, and participates in long-term loan programs.

Although international students cannot receive financial aid, they may be eligible for scholarships offered by their schools or departments. International students should contact their departments directly for information about existing opportunities. International students may also be eligible for some private educational loans.

Application Procedures and Eligibility Requirements for Financial Aid

Detailed information, application procedures and deadlines for financial aid are available online at www.usc.edu/financialaid. Students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or other eligible non-citizens and must meet all other eligibility requirements for federal, state and university financial aid programs. Students must have a valid Social Security number, have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, meet Selective Service registration requirements, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, and have completed all application requirements by the relevant deadline(s). For most federal awards, a minimum of half-time enrollment is required. Full-time enrollment is required for most university awards.

Scholarships

Scholarships awarded by the Office of Admission on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, service and talent are available through the Office of Admission, most academic departments at USC, alumni groups and outside agencies and foundations. Some of these awards require a separate application. In some cases, financial need is also considered. For more information, visit www.usc.edu/financialaid.

Grants

The Financial Aid Office may award University Grants to eligible students who meet all financial aid application deadlines.

Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are available for exceptionally needy students. The SEOG is awarded only to eligible students who meet all application deadlines.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant are available for Pell Grant recipients. The ACG Grant is awarded only to all eligible freshmen and sophomores who meet all application deadlines and have met the rigorous high school requirements as determined by the Office of Admissions. The SMART Grant is awarded only to all eligible juniors and seniors who meet all application deadlines and are majoring in the physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language.

Cal Grants A and B are administered by the California Student Aid Commission. All undergraduate aid applicants who are residents of California are required to apply. Cal Grant A provides funds for partial tuition and fees. Cal Grant B recipients receive a subsistence award the first year and receive a subsistence award and tuition award in subsequent years.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study program enables eligible students to earn part of their financial aid award through employment either on campus or with an approved off-campus employer. Only students who meet all application deadlines are considered for this program.

Federal Student and Parent Loans

Federal Perkins Loans may be awarded to eligible students who meet all application deadlines. Repayment begins nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans are also available to eligible students. Repayment begins six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Payments may be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half time.

Private Financing Programs

Private financing programs are available to help students and parents meet the costs of education by providing long-term financing options. Students should exhaust all federal Title IV assistance available, including Federal Pell Grants, the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan before considering a private student loan program. The repayment terms of federal programs may be more favorable than the terms of private loan programs.

Financial Aid for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who are pursuing their second bachelor’s degree are eligible for a limited number of financial aid programs, specifically the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. Parents of dependent students may also borrow Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans. Eligible students who meet all application deadlines are also considered for Federal Work-Study.

Financial Aid for a Progressive Degree Program

In most cases, students admitted to a progressive degree program will be classified as undergraduate students for financial aid purposes during the first eight semesters of college enrollment, regardless of whether they enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses. Beginning in the ninth semester, students will be considered graduate students for financial aid purposes and are ineligible for undergraduate financial aid. Students are immediately classified as graduate students and are ineligible for undergraduate financial aid once the undergraduate degree is posted, even if they have completed fewer than eight semesters. Financial aid applicants may wish to postpone the posting of the undergraduate degree until they have exhausted their undergraduate financial aid eligibility. Students who receive a research assistant or a teaching assistant award before completing eight semesters will be classified as graduate students and will be ineligible to receive undergraduate financial aid.

Financial Aid Consortium Agreements for USC Students

Students admitted to a degree program at USC who enroll at least half-time at another eligible institution and whose courses are applicable to their USC degree may be eligible for limited financial aid if a Financial Aid Consortium Agreement is completed. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Financial Aid for Limited Status Enrollment

Students not admitted to a degree-seeking program who enroll as limited status students are not eligible for federal, state or university financial aid. Visiting students, however, may be eligible for limited financial aid through a Financial Aid Consortium Agreement if: 1) they attend USC at least half-time while admitted to a degree-granting program at their home school; and 2) their USC courses apply to their degree. Please contact the Financial Aid office for more information. Also, students enrolled at least half-time in undergraduate courses required for admission to a degree program may be eligible for limited Federal Direct Stafford Loan program funds. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Send feedback to univpub@usc.edu