University of Southern California

University of Southern California Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid at University of Southern California, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.

The FAFSA code for University of Southern California is 001328.

If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

Using State Grants at USC

If you reside in California and are considering USC, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.

University of Southern California QuestBridge Scholarships

USC is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to University of Southern California through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.

University of Southern California’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee

USC meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.

National Merit Scholarships

If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at University of Southern California? USC offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check USC's website for more information!

Pell Grants at University of Southern California

22% of students at University of Southern California receive Pell Grants.

The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

Outside Scholarships

Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at USC. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for college students
• Scholarship database

1465 is the median SAT score and 34 is the median ACT score for admitted students at USC. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

Coalition Colleges

USC is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to USC via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

Does USC have a supplemental essay?

Yes, University of Southern California includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer USC's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.

Is USC test-optional?

University of Southern California is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.

What test scores do you need to get into University of Southern California?

Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to University of Southern California receive between a 32 and a 35 on their ACT, or a 1415 and a 1545 on their SAT.

What is the application deadline at USC?

Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at USC during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

And if you’re considering applying Early Action at USC, remember that the deadline is November 1.

What is the graduation rate at University of Southern California?

92% of students who start at University of Southern California finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 34% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

How much do graduates of University of Southern California go on to earn?

The median income of students 10 years after starting at University of Southern California is $92,498. This is $42,107 more than the national median.

This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from University of Southern California who received federal financial aid.

Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.

How much do students at USC take out in loans?

Graduates of USC take out a median of $18,000 in federal student loans. This is $4,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.