Scholarships
Introduction
USC awards scholarships to help undergraduate students pay for their education. These funds come from a variety of university, federal, state and private sources. Unlike loans, however, they do not have to be repaid.
Generally, merit scholarships are reserved for students with special qualifications, such as academic, athletic or artistic talent. Awards are also available for students who are interested in particular fields of study, are actively involved in different cultural communities or live in certain areas of the country.
Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid have separate application processes. You can learn more about the need-based financial aid process on our Financial Aid website. Students do not need to submit a need-based financial aid application to be considered for a merit scholarship offered by the Office of Admission.
USC Merit Scholarships
Administered through the Office of Admission and ranging in value from a few thousand dollars up to full tuition, USC Merit Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, service and talent.
USC Merit Scholarships require students to apply for admission to the university by November 1 or December 1, depending on their intended major. Most majors require students to apply Early Action by November 1. Students committed to enrolling in the Marshall School of Business should apply Early Decision by November 1 to be considered for admission and scholarships. (ED admission is not available for the World Bachelor in Business program.)
Early Action is not available for students applying to majors in Architecture, Art and Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Music, and the World Bachelor in Business program. Applicants to these majors should apply by December 1 to be considered for both admission and scholarships.
Other USC Scholarships
Some USC scholarships are administered by organizations outside the Office of Admission, including on-campus offices and alumni groups. Amounts vary from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $10,000. These generally require a separate application, have varying deadlines and eligibility requirements and may or may not require an interview. Find specific instructions for each scholarship on the document linked below.
Learn more about USC Merit Scholarships and other scholarships offered by USC organizations outside the Office of Admission.
Notice of Eligibility
USC Scholarships are administered consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Recipients are chosen without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited characteristic.