Students at USC benefit both from federal, state and university financial aid programs administered by the Financial Aid Office and from scholarships, fellowships and assistantships, which are administered by the Office of Admission, the Graduate School and various academic departments. USC also offers several financing and payment programs. Students may apply for one or more kinds of aid, depending on eligibility. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and must meet all other eligibility requirements to be eligible for federal, state and university financial aid programs.
Although international students cannot receive financial aid, they may be eligible for scholarships and for graduate assistantships offered by their schools or departments. International students should contact their departments directly for information about existing opportunities.
Scholarships awarded on the bases 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. Further information may be obtained from the appropriate school, department, or awarding agency.
Entering freshman and transfer students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA to a processing agency and a Financial Aid Form (FAF) to the College Scholarship Service. Students must also submit a USC Applicant Profile form and copies of their and their parents' 1994 federal income tax forms or non-filing statement forms. Forms should be submitted by February 1, 1995 to ensure that USC will be able to mail notification of eligibility by April 1, 1995. In addition, transfer students must submit financial aid transcripts from each school previously attended. New Cal Grant applicants must also submit a GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 1995.
To be considered for university and federal campus-based funds for the 1995-96 academic year, the College Scholarship Service (CSS) must have received a FAF no later than March 2, 1995. In addition the processing agency must have received a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA by March 2, 1995. The USC Financial Aid Office must have received a USC Applicant Profile form by the same date. Student and parent 1994 federal income tax forms or non-filing statement forms must have been received by the Financial Aid Office no later than May 2, 1995. Any additional documentation or information requested must have been received by the Financial Aid Office no later than 30 days from the date of the first request. New Cal Grant applicants must also submit a GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 1995.
The Financial Aid Office will award University Grants to eligible students who meet all financial aid application deadlines.
The Pell Grant program is a federal grant program for exceptionally needy students. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are also available for exceptionally needy students. These are awarded only to eligible students who apply for aid on time.
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 is for partial tuition and fees. Cal Grant B recipients receive monthly stipend checks the first year and receive stipend checks and tuition credit in subsequent years.
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, non-profit employer. Only students who meet all application deadlines are considered for this program.
Loans through the Federal Perkins Loan Program are awarded to eligible students who apply on time. Repayment begins six to nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time, according to the conditions listed on the promissory note.
The University Direct Student Loan Program provides loans to eligible undergraduate students who meet all application deadlines. Repayment begins six to nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at USC at least half-time, according to the conditions listed on the promissory note.
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are also available. Repayment begins six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. All loan repayment terms are subject to change.
Several programs are available to help families meet the costs of education by providing short- and long-term financing options and payment plans. Refer to Financing Alternatives for more information.
Students who are pursuing their second bachelor's degree are eligible for a limited number of financial aid programs only - Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan and the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. Students who meet all application deadlines are also considered for the Federal Work-Study and Federal Perkins Loan programs.
Financial support for graduate study at USC is available from many sources. Most graduate departments and professional schools offer fellowship and graduate assistantship opportunities. In support of the university's commitment to diversity, fellowships are set aside for minority students from groups now under-represented in doctoral study. The USC Office of Financial Aid administers federal and state financial aid programs and provides information about funding for graduate study from sources outside the university.
Several federal agencies and private foundations offer support for students engaged in research in specific fields of study. In addition, many corporations provide fellowships or tuition reimbursements for their employees.
To receive consideration for federal campus-based and state financial aid for the 1995-96 academic year, the processing agency must receive the graduate student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA by March 2, 1995. In addition, the Financial Aid Office must receive a completed Applicant Profile Form by March 2, 1995. Also, a complete copy of the student's and spouse's 1994 federal income tax return must be received by the Financial Aid Office no later than May 2, 1995. The graduate student must submit financial aid transcripts from each college or university previously attended and any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office. Law, Dental, Medical, Occupational Therapy, Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Pharmacy students should check with their departments for additional application requirements. All new applicants for the California State Graduate Fellowship program must also submit test scores and a GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 1995.
California State Graduate Fellowships, administered by the California Student Aid Commission, are available to graduate students who are residents of California and who demonstrate their intention to become college or university faculty members. Applicants with financial need are ranked competitively based on undergraduate or graduate level grades, test scores, parental information and consideration of disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Federal Work-Study program enables eligible students to earn part of their financial aid award either on campus or with an approved off-campus non-profit employer. Only full-time (eight or more units) students who meet all application deadlines are considered for this program.
Loans through the Federal Perkins Loan Program and Federal Stafford Loan Program are awarded to eligible students. Only full-time (eight or more units) students who meet all application deadlines are considered for Federal Perkins Loans. Repayment begins six to nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time, according to the conditions listed on the promissory note. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are also available. The Health Professions Student Loan and the Health Education Assistance Loan programs provide loans to students in the health professions.
Prospective and continuing students seeking financial aid will find opportunities for funding their graduate study through the Graduate School and their individual schools and departments. In general, fellowships offered through the Graduate School are for study leading to the Ph.D. degree. Students entering professional degree programs should inquire at their professional schools for information about sources of financial aid.
USC subscribes to the following resolution of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States regarding graduate scholars, fellows, trainees and assistantships.
Acceptance of an offer of financial aid (such as graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship or assistantship) for the next academic year by an actual or prospective graduate student completes an agreement which both student and graduate school expect to honor. In those instances in which the student accepts the offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer.
Graduate assistantships are awarded each year by departments of the university on the basis of scholastic accomplishment, academic promise and competence. Only students regularly enrolled in USC graduate degree programs are eligible for appointment as graduate assistants and may be appointed to a maximum of one year at a time. All graduate assistants are under direct and assigned supervision of regular faculty members and report regularly on the conduct and performance of their responsibilities to the supervising faculty. These awards include: teaching/laboratory assistants, assistant lecturers and research assistants.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995