Merit Scholarships Awards at University of Southern California

USC awards scholarships to help undergraduate students pay for their education, and the funds come from a variety of university, federal, state and private sources. Unlike loans, the funds do not have to be repaid. Merit scholarships at USC are reserved for students with special qualifications and include academic, athletic or artistic talent, as well as awards for interest in particular fields of study, involvement in different cultural communities, or living in certain areas of the country.

USC Merit Scholarships are administered through the Office of Admission. They are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, service and talent, and are described as highly competitive. USC also awards a scholarship valued at $20,000 for students who are admitted to USC, are named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Corporation, and list USC as their first-choice institution with NMSC.

Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid have separate application processes. 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. Application deadlines for USC Merit Scholarships are available on USC’s Dates and Deadlines page.

USC Merit Scholarships are described by value, ranging from a few thousand dollars up to full tuition. The information provided does not state additional conditions for how support lasts, what keeps it, or any obligation after receiving an award.

• Applicants must be undergraduate students.Merit scholarships are reserved for students with special qualifications, such as academic, athletic or artistic talent.Merit scholarships are also available for students who are interested in particular fields of study.Merit scholarships are also available for students who are actively involved in different cultural communities.Merit scholarships are also available for students who live in certain areas of the country.USC Merit Scholarships are administered through the Office of Admission.Applicants for merit scholarships offered by the Office of Admission do not need to submit a need-based financial aid application to be considered.Recipients are chosen without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited characteristic.For the $20,000 scholarship: students must be admitted to USC, named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Corporation, and list USC as their first-choice institution with NMSC.

• USC Merit Scholarships: value ranges from a few thousand dollars up to full tuition.National Merit Finalists scholarship: $20,000 for students who are admitted to USC, named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Corporation, and list USC as their first-choice institution with NMSC.

1. Use USC’s merit scholarship application process through the Office of Admission (separate from the need-based financial aid process).Do not submit a need-based financial aid application if the goal is consideration for a merit scholarship offered by the Office of Admission.Check the application deadlines for USC Merit Scholarships on USC’s Dates and Deadlines page.