USC Scholarships 2022: Overview, Eligibility & Process

Ranked among the top universities in the United States, the University of Southern California (USC) has been a preferred destination for students across the world. However, with high competition and a low acceptance rate, getting admitted to this reputed institution has remained a dream for many eligible students, especially if they’re not from a financially affluent background. But, there’s no need to worry any longer. If you have the required GPA, don’t hesitate to apply. USC has a range of scholarships to help students pay for their education. If you’re looking for detailed information on USC Scholarships, you’ve come to the right place.

Table of Contents

Leap Advantage Virtual Spot Offer Event on May 10th 2024

Last call to secure your spot for Masters in STEM Program in the US for Fall ’24 exclusively for graduates and above.

Register for the Event

Leap Advantage Virtual Spot Offer Event on May 10th 2024

Last call to secure your spot for Masters in STEM Program in the US for Fall ’24 exclusively for graduates and above.

List of USC Scholarships


Scholarships	Applicability	Annual Amount
International Freshman Academic Scholarship	First-year students	The amount varies.
Trustee Scholarship	First-year students	$ 60,446 (Full tuition)
Presidential Scholarship	First-year students	$ 30,223 (Half tuition)
Deans Scholarship	First-year students	$ 15,111 (One quarter’s tuition)
USC Associates Scholarship	First-year students	$ 18,000
Transfer Merit Scholarship	Transfer students	$ 15,111 (One quarter’s tuition)
Norman Topping Student Aid Fund	First-year, Transfer and Graduate students	The amount depends on the need of the students.
Leadership Scholarship	First-year students	$ 10,000
Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarship	Enrolled undergraduate, graduate, transfer and professional students	The amount varies.
Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation Scholarship	First-year students	$ 60,446 (Full tuition)

Eligibility Criteria for USC Scholarships

The eligibility criteria for the USC scholarships differ from one another. The table below sheds light on the eligibility criteria for these scholarships.


Scholarships	Eligibility Criteria
International Freshman Academic Scholarship	To be eligible for this scholarship, you need to be an international student. You need to have an excellent academic record. Additionally, selectors would also check your talent, perseverance, innovation, involvement and leadership capabilities.
Trustee Scholarship	It would be best if you were a top achiever consistently. You will get extra points if you pursue a demanding curriculum. Selectors check your academic excellence, community service and leadership capabilities.
Presidential Scholarship	You need to have a good academic record. Selection depends on academic grades, the student’s talent, perseverance, innovation and leadership capabilities. A record of community service would be an added advantage.
Deans Scholarship	Firstly, selectors consider your consistent good performance in academics. Additionally, your talent, innovation and leadership capabilities will play an important role in your selection. Plus, you’ll get extra points if your application has a proven community service record.
USC Associates Scholarships	Selectors place a strong emphasis on your academic brilliance. Additionally, they’ll check your community service and leadership record in school. Finally, your application for this scholarship will be minutely assessed, as selection criteria are need-based.
Transfer Merit Scholarship	Selectors undertake an extensive analysis of your application for this scholarship. Your GPA in rigorous coursework is taken into consideration. You must have an average GPA above 3.7 and more than 30 transferable units.
Norman Topping Student Aid Fund	If you’re a first-generation college student, you’ll be given primary consideration by the selectors. But, in no way is the scholarship limited to first-generation learners only. You need a demonstrated record of community awareness. An important prerequisite is a good academic record.
Leadership Scholarship	You would need a proven record of academic brilliance. Selectors place a strong emphasis on leadership in school and community service. As an applicant, you need to achieve consistency in a rigorous curriculum.
Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarship	You need to be a student enrolled on a full-time program at USC. In addition, you need to have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0. You’ll be assessed on your involvement with the Asian Pacific American Community. Once you get the scholarship, you need to complete 15 community service hours with the Asian Pacific Alumni Association.
Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation Scholarship	You need to attend a school in Hong Kong. The selection would be merit and need-based.

Maximise your Scholarship Opportunities

Claim your free guide to unlock hidden scholarships!

USA Scholarships for international students

Download Ultimate Cheatsheet

Maximise your Scholarship Opportunities

Claim your free guide to unlock hidden scholarships!

Download Ultimate Cheatsheet

USC Scholarship 2022: Overview, Eligibility & Process For Indian Students

Necessary Documents for USC Scholarship Applications

If you have decided to apply for a USC Scholarship, you need to keep the following documents ready.


Academic Certificates	All the certificates of your previous educational experiences are required.
Academic Transcripts	A detailed record of the subjects you’ve studied with the scores/marks is required.
Language Certificates	IELTS (min. 6 and above on each band) and TOEFL Scores (min. 84) are required.
Standardized Test Scores	Some universities ask for GRE, ACT, SAT and other test scores.
Statement of Purpose	You need to explain about personal goals and why you’re eligible for the scholarship.
Curriculum Vitae	Include all your work/educational experiences, the various languages you know, and leadership and community experiences.
Letters of Recommendation	It’s safe to keep 2 LoRs – usually, they should come from your Academic Supervisors.
Financial Evidence	Your bank statements, the financial history of the family and your parents’ financial statements are required.

Waterloo University Scholarships

Detailed Application Requirements for USC Scholarships

The table below outlines the scholarship-specific application requirements.


Scholarship	Application Requirements
International Freshman Academic Scholarship	Filled Application form with USC Supplement Supporting Academic Documents Financial Statements
Trustee Scholarship	Common Application form with USC Supplement Academic Transcripts Personal Statement Financial Statement Letter of recommendation
Presidential Scholarship	Filled Application form with USC Supplement Academic Record Letter of Recommendation Personal Statement Financial Evidence
Deans Scholarship	Filled up the Application form with USC Supplement Letter of Recommendation Personal Essay Academic Transcripts Financial Statement
USC Associates Scholarship	Letter of Recommendation Academic Transcripts School Report Financial Statement
Transfer Merit Scholarship	Academic Transcripts. IELTS and TOEFL Scores Filled up Application Form with USC Supplement Financial Statement
Norman Topping Student Aid Fund	Online Application 1 Letter of Recommendation An autobiographical essay detailing personal background, community awareness, and current financial status with respect to admission at USC Academic Transcripts
Leadership Scholarship	Filled up the Application form with USC Supplement Academic Transcripts Personal Statement detailing your leadership experience, community service Financial Statement
Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarship	Academic Transcripts Letter of Recommendation Personal Statement (500 words) List of academic honours Proof of community service Financial Statement
Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation Scholarship	Filled up the common application form with USC Supplement Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation Application is available on their website Academic Transcripts Proof of community service and leadership Financial Statement

List of Scholarships For Indian Students To Study Abroad After 10th

Some Important Things About USC Scholarships

Before sending your USC Scholarship application form, keep in mind the following factors.

Document Requirements might vary from person to person. So, submit the required documents only.
Don’t miss the deadline. Submit your application within the stipulated time.
Don’t exceed the word limit for your SoP.
Check your application for grammatical and spelling errors.
Finally, it’s a good idea to make a copy of your application before you send it.

Unlike loans, scholarships don’t have to be repaid. But generally, scholarships are awarded to students who have proved their academic, athletic or artistic brilliance. This blog has provided all the important details related to USC Scholarships. So, if you have been thinking of pursuing your education at the University of Southern California, it’s time to make your dream come true.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USC have any Scholarships for international students?

Yes, the University of Southern California has many Scholarships for international students. Some of them are International Freshman Academic Scholarship, USC Associates Scholarship, Transfer Merit Scholarship and Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarship.

Can I apply for USC Scholarships?

Yes, you can apply for USC Scholarships if you wish to pursue your education at USC and fulfil all the eligibility criteria. Some of the documents you would need are educational transcripts, financial evidence, SoP and letters of recommendation.

Does USC give full scholarships?

There are USC merit scholarships that students are awarded, they are as follows – the Trustee scholarship: this scholarship covers the full tuition fees throughout the course period; the Presidential scholarship: this scholarship covers half of the tuition fees of students; and the Dean’s Scholarship; this scholarship covers a quarter of the total tuition fees of the course period.