Obligation for Payment

Tuition and fees of all students, including those whose tuition has been deferred, becomes an obligation in accordance with the provisions of the Drop/Refund Policy as follows. This financial obligation is a contract between the student and the university. Tuition and fees are due, in full, prior to the beginning of classes. Failure to make payments of any indebtedness to the university when due including, but not limited to, tuition, deferred tuition, housing, student loans and lab fees, is considered sufficient cause, until the debt is settled with the university to (1) bar the student from classes or examinations; (2) withhold diploma, scholastic certificate or transcripts; (3) bar the student from university housing; (4) suspend all university services and privileges; (5) suspend the student; (6) assign the student's account to a collection agency; and (7) report the delinquent account to a credit bureau. This policy will be equally enforced against debts discharged through bankruptcy.

The university reserves the right to assess interest, finance charges and/or late fees on any indebtedness.

Permission to cancel enrollment does not constitute, nor shall it be construed as, a waiver by the university of a student's financial obligation. A student is still responsible for all outstanding debts and contracts with the university. Furthermore, students must not have any delinquent financial obligations to USC at the time classes begin or their registration may be revoked. In the event of such revocation of registration, 100 percent of any tuition paid for that semester will be first applied to any outstanding debt. Any remaining credit will be refunded within six to eight weeks from the date of revocation.

For additional information please contact the Cashier's Office, King Hall 200, (213) 740-7471.

Methods of Payment

Direct Cash Payments

Payment must be made for the full amount due directly to the University Cashier by cash, check, MasterCard/VISA/Discover or College Card (or any combination thereof) before the beginning of each semester.

Cashier's Deferments

Students may be eligible for a short-term deferment. Students must apply in person to the Cashier's Office. Proper identification is required for all credit. Short-term deferments are granted for up to $2,000. A service charge of five percent of the deferred amount will be assessed. Students with past due accounts are not eligible for deferments.

Financial Aid Deferments

Students who need deferments based on financial aid must contact the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid

Recipients of financial aid will find available aid (e.g. scholarships, grants, loan funds, graduate assistantship tuition awards) applied to their Registration Confirmation as direct credits against their total charges. Financial aid is distributed in installments, one at the start of each semester. Federal financial aid funds (federal Pell Grant, Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, SEOG) are applied to student accounts no earlier than 10 days before the start of the semester. Students must sign a promissory note for each loan program before loan funds will be applied to their accounts. All first-time Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan borrowers at USC must attend an entrance loan counseling session prior to receipt of their loan funds.

Federal Work-Study awards are not reflected as credits on the Registration Confirmation. Federal Work-Study awards are earned through employment, either on-campus or off-campus. The student is paid bi-weekly for hours worked and may earn up to the amount specified in the Statement of Financial Aid Eligibility.

All students who received Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, University Direct Student Loan, USC Subsidized Loan or Health Professions Student Loans must attend an exit loan counseling interview when they cease to be enrolled at least half-time. Contact Student Financial Services at (213) 740-4077 to schedule an appointment. Diplomas and transcripts will not be released if the student fails to complete this step.

MasterCard, VISA, Discover or College Card

All, or any part of, charges recorded on a main campus Registration Confirmation may be paid by MasterCard, VISA, Discover or College Card. Present the card in Room 204 in King Hall. (Health Sciences Campus students may settle their Registration Confirmations with the HSC cashier, Keith Administration Building, first floor.) Students may pay by telephone (MasterCard or VISA) by calling TIPS (Touch-tone Inquiry and Payment System) at (213) 740-7471 or outside the Southern California area 1-800-225-1222.

Tuition Prepayment

The university will accept tuition prepayment for a period of up to four years. The prepayment will guarantee that the tuition rate will be fixed to the current rate on the date prepayment is made. Prepayments are accepted between July 1 and September 1 each year. Specific details may be obtained from Student Financial Services, King Hall 201, (213) 740-4077.

Billing Information

Statements on all active student accounts are mailed to the student monthly, to the local address August through April and the permanent address May through July. The student may have the bill sent elsewhere by providing the Cashier's Office with a billing address.

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, university representatives will not disclose any specific information about a student's account with any third party (including family members) without the student's written permission. Permission forms may be obtained at the Cashier's Office.

Although the university will accept payments from a third party, the student is responsible for settling all debts to the university by the appropriate deadlines.

Refund of Tuition

Tuition is refundable entirely at the option of the university. Refunds will be computed as of the date on which a student cancels or drops a course through the Registration Department. Request for a refund must be made to the Cashier's Office.

Refunds for a 14-15 week semester (session) are made at 100 percent through the end of the third week of classes.

Students who are recipients of Title IV federal financial aid funds (federal Pell Grant, SEOG, Stafford Loan, PLUS Loan, Perkins Loan, Work-Study) and who officially withdraw from all classes after the third week of the semester, may be entitled to a partial refund. Refer to Federal Refund Policies section for more information.

The university does not issue cash refunds any time after week three of the semester, except as noted above.

Cancellations

Defined as complete withdrawal from the semester or session, cancellation refunds are computed based on the date the application to cancel enrollment is presented to the Registration Department.

Drops

Drops are defined as withdrawal from one class or part of registration. The refund schedule applies as of the date the drop is processed by the Registration Department.

This policy is enforced equally for settled and unsettled registrations.

Financing Alternatives

Tuition Prepayment Program (TPP)

This option offers individuals the opportunity to stabilize tuition costs by avoiding future tuition increases. Under this plan, the university will accept the prepayment of the student's total USC tuition plus mandatory fees at the current tuition rate for up to the next four years. For further information, contact Student Financial Services, King Hall, Room 201, (213) 740-4077.

USC Payment Plan

The USC Payment Plan, administered by Student Financial Services, enables students and parents to pay tuition, fees and university housing and meal plan charges in monthly installments rather than in a single payment at the beginning of each semester. Payments are made over a 10-month period, beginning August 1, and may be made by check, electronic transfer or credit card. There is a small application fee each year. The student must be in good financial standing at the university. Students may apply with or without a parent or other sponsor. For further information, contact Student Financial Services, (213) 740-4077.

Private Loan Plans

USC participates in a number of long-term borrowing programs that are available to all families regardless of eligibility for scholarships or financial aid. These programs can relieve students' and families' cash-flow restrictions and enable them to make their expected contributions to the cost of college education. Information about loan programs is available at the USC Office of Financial Aid.

Veterans' Benefits

Veterans must register with the Office of Veterans Affairs each semester in order to receive benefits. Students may expect an educational allowance based only on courses which are a legitimate part of the degree program approved for veterans. The student must notify the Office of Veterans Affairs immediately upon any change in unit load or change of major. The office is located in Student Administrative Services, Room 101, (213) 740-4619.

Naval ROTC

The Department of Naval Science offers courses for all undergraduate students, although the courses are structured primarily for those who are participating in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. This program eventually leads to a reserve commission as an officer in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps. Most NROTC midshipmen at USC are the recipients of two- or four-year scholarships earned through national competition while seniors in high school. These grants pay full tuition, books and fees, and carry a monthly stipend of $150 per month to help defray living expenses. The university also provides automatic scholarships to incoming four-year NROTC scholarship recipients to help pay for living expenses. Navy scholarships are also available to men and women who enroll directly in NROTC at the university. Non-scholarship midshipmen receive no NROTC financial aid until their junior year, when they become eligible for a $150 monthly stipend. Men and women may select their own major fields, although engineering or the sciences are preferred. Nurse Corps option students, however, must pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Upon completion of the bachelor's degree, students are commissioned as ensigns in the U.S. Naval Reserve or as second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and proceed to advanced training. Unrestricted Line Officer specialties within the Navy and all officer specialties within the Marine Corps are open to NROTC graduates. For specific information, contact the Department of Naval Science directly, (213) 740-2663.

Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFROTC)

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) offers two- and four-year programs leading to a commission in the Air Force. AFROTC and USC offer numerous financial incentives to assist in students' pursuit of a challenging career. The AFROTC program is open to almost all students pursuing baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Aerospace Studies entails one semester-hour course the first two years and three semester-hour courses the last two years. AFROTC offers a variety of one- to four-year scholarships which include monthly stipends, substantial offsets for room and board and a minimum of $1,000 per semester for all junior and senior cadets. Upon graduation, a challenging career is guaranteed through a commission in the Air Force. For further information, contact the Department of Aerospace Studies at (213) 740-2670.

Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AROTC)

AROTC offers two-, three- and four-year programs leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to qualified applicants for two-, three- or four-year periods, depending on the applicants' academic level and program. Scholarship cadets receive up to $21,950 in yearly benefits. Army scholarships are merit based and are not dependent on individual financial need. Both active duty and guaranteed reserve forces duty scholarships are available. Cadets who are not awarded Army scholarships but are enrolled in the AROTC program during their junior and senior year receive $150 per month subsistence allowance. All enrolled cadets receive uniforms and military science textbooks from the department. Veterans, Reservists, National Guard members and JROTC graduates qualify for advanced placement. For further information call (213) 740-4026.

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