University of Southern California (USC) Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~11%
- Middle 50% ACT: 34
- Middle 50% SAT: 1495
- Average GPA: N/A
- Below the typical ranges: Treat USC as a high reach. Focus on building a strong story (leadership, impact, unique interests), and make sure you have solid financial safeties — merit here is not predictable.
- In the typical ranges: You’re competitive for admission, but not for top scholarships by default. Essays, activities, and positioning matter a lot — especially if you want a shot at Presidential or Trustee.
- Well above the ranges: Even top students are not guaranteed merit here. USC’s biggest scholarships are highly selective and interview-based — think of them as a bonus, not a plan.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Southern California (USC) at a Glance
- December 1 deadline = everything: Miss it, and you are automatically out of the running for USC’s biggest scholarships — no exceptions.
- Merit is almost entirely competitive: There are no true automatic scholarships here. Full and half-tuition awards go to a very small group of top applicants after interviews.
- CSS Profile required: USC uses both FAFSA and the CSS Profile, which means a deeper financial review — and potentially a higher expected family contribution than FAFSA alone.
- Test-optional… but not really for merit: You can apply without scores, but top scholarship winners almost always submit very strong SAT/ACT results.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Southern California (USC) is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 34; SAT: 1495.
Average net price? About $41,496/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
USC Academic Honors and Fellowships – Scholars Programs: https://ahf.usc.edu/scholars/
USC Scholarship Guide: https://admission.usc.edu/scholarship-guide/
USC Merit Scholarships page: https://admission.usc.edu/cost-and-financial-aid/scholarships/
USC merit scholarships page: https://admission.usc.edu/apply/scholarships/
USC Associates Scholarships page: https://giving.usc.edu/usc-associates/usc-associates-scholarships/
USC Career Center summer internship scholarships page: https://careers.usc.edu/resources/summer-internship-scholarships/
USC affordability and financial aid page: https://admission.usc.edu/cost-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Southern California (USC) 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $73,260 | $73,260 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $20,907 | $20,907 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $94,167 | $94,167 |
Average Federal Net Price: $41,496 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
- Who qualifies? U.S. citizens and permanent residents who meet income and asset thresholds.
- How it helps: Covers full tuition ($73,260); students still pay for housing, meals, and personal costs.
- How to apply: Submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the published deadlines — no separate form required.
🎓 Before comparing offers, read our complete guide to how financial aid and scholarships work at California private colleges , including merit awards, CSS Profile schools, and net price differences.
FAQ: USC Cost of Attendance
Does USC offer tuition reciprocity or regional discounts?
No. USC is a private university and does not participate in WUE or state reciprocity programs.
What’s the real cost for most families?
Families earning under $80,000 often pay $0 in tuition thanks to USC’s Affordability Initiative, with total costs limited to living expenses.
Are grants and scholarships automatic?
All admitted students are automatically considered for need-based aid once they file the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
https://admission.usc.edu/cost-and-financial-aid/
https://financialaid.usc.edu/
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=123961
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?123961-University-of-Southern-California
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
USC does not publish admission-based “automatic” merit tiers (no GPA/test grid). All USC institutional merit is selected holistically through the admission review and scholarship committees.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | USC has no automatic (guaranteed) admission-based merit awards. | — | — | Institutional merit is competitive/committee-selected (see Competitive Scholarships below). | Nov 1 (EA); Dec 1 (portfolio/audition majors) |
Note: Because USC does not offer tiered “auto-merit,” there are no GPA/ACT/SAT cutoffs to publish. Selection for USC-funded awards happens through the holistic review tied to early scholarship deadlines.
USC participates in National Merit (separate recognition for admitted National Merit Finalists).
USC is a STAMPS Scholarship partner (administered via USC’s top competitive merit programs).
USC is a QuestBridge National College Match partner (separate, need-based full-ride pathway for high-achieving, lower-income students).
Automatic Merit FAQ (USC)
Is there an application for USC “auto-merit”?
No. USC does not have guaranteed automatic merit. To be considered for USC-administered merit, submit your admission application by USC’s scholarship deadlines (Nov 1 or Dec 1 depending on school/program).
Does USC superscore tests?
Yes — when scores are submitted, USC considers your highest section scores across test dates (SAT/ACT superscoring). USC is test-optional; submitting scores is not required, but can help some applicants for merit review.
How do stacking rules work at USC?
Most USC institutional merit awards are mutually exclusive (you keep the highest one). Tuition-restricted funds generally cannot exceed tuition; outside awards may be coordinated up to Cost of Attendance per USC policy.
If there are no auto tiers, what matters most?
Rigor and grades, standout achievements, compelling essays, and fit with a USC school/major. For top competitive awards, leadership and impact are common signalers.
USC Merit Scholarships – https://admission.usc.edu/apply/scholarships/
USC Scholarship Guide & Policies – https://admission.usc.edu/scholarship-guide/
USC Deadlines – https://admission.usc.edu/apply/application-deadlines/
National Merit at USC – https://admission.usc.edu/national-merit-scholarships/
QuestBridge & STAMPS at USC – https://admission.usc.edu/apply/questbridge/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
USC’s flagship scholarships are its most competitive, nationally recognized merit awards. These programs cover anywhere from half to full tuition and are reserved for a small percentage of top applicants. Students must apply by USC’s early scholarship deadlines (Nov 1 or Dec 1 depending on program) to be considered.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trustee Scholarship | Full tuition (8 semesters; 10 for Architecture) | First-year applicants; meet scholarship deadline | No | Yes | ~50–60 students; top-tier academics, leadership, service | Dec 1 |
| Presidential Scholarship | Half tuition (8 semesters) | First-year applicants; meet scholarship deadline | No | Yes | 300+ per class; strong academics, leadership, impact | Dec 1 |
| Dean’s Scholarship | Quarter tuition (8 semesters) | First-year applicants; meet scholarship deadline | No | Yes | ~150–170; broad excellence, strong applicant pool | Dec 1 |
| Mork Family Scholars | Full tuition + stipend (8 semesters) | Invitation only; exceptional admits | No | Yes | Tiny cohort; national leadership, innovation | Dec 1 |
| Stamps Scholars | Full tuition + enrichment $5K | Invitation only; selected by USC + Stamps Foundation | No | Yes | ~5–10 per year; national recognition, impact | Dec 1 |
Note: These are USC’s flagship scholarships. They are highly competitive and awarded to a small portion of admitted students each year. Only one flagship scholarship may be held; highest-value award supersedes all others.
Flagship Scholarship FAQ (Competitive Awards)
How do you apply for USC’s flagship scholarships?
Submit the Common App and USC Writing Supplement by Dec 1 (or Nov 1 for most BFA/arts). There’s no separate application—the process is automatic for all early applicants.
What makes them “competitive”?
Academic rigor, leadership, essays, and extracurricular impact. Trustee and Mork/Stamps are reserved for the most selective admits, while Presidential and Dean’s reach a somewhat broader group.
Are they renewable?
Yes, typically for up to 8 semesters (10 for B. Arch.), provided you remain in good standing and full-time enrollment.
Can flagship scholarships stack?
No—only the highest flagship award is applied. Additional outside/need-based aid may stack up to cost of attendance.
USC Merit Scholarships – https://admission.usc.edu/apply/scholarships/
USC Scholarship Guide – https://admission.usc.edu/scholarship-guide/
Application Deadlines – https://admission.usc.edu/apply/application-deadlines/
Mork Family and Stamps Scholars – https://ahf.usc.edu/scholars/
National Merit/QuestBridge – https://admission.usc.edu/apply/questbridge/
🎖️ Honors College
Unlike some universities, USC doesn’t have a single “Honors College.” Instead, it offers selective honors programs that let high-achieving students dive deeper into writing, research, and science. These programs come with smaller classes, faculty mentorship, and the kind of academic rigor that looks great for grad school or professional careers.
GPA near the top of their class, heavy AP/IB or honors coursework, strong writing skills, and active involvement in campus or community leadership.
Priority registration, small seminar-style courses, close faculty mentorship, enriched general education curriculum, and opportunities for research or thesis projects.
USC Honors Programs
| Program | Key Features | Application | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Option (TO) | Liberal Arts honors curriculum with seminar-based discussion and intensive writing | Admitted students apply via USC portal after admission decision | Priority: Apr 18 Rolling: until May 1 (space available) |
| Freshman Science Honors (FSH) | Honors chemistry/bio coursework for science majors; advanced labs and research community | Eligible majors invited to apply after admission; online application in portal | Priority: Apr 15 Rolling: after May 1 if space |
USC Honors FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. Both Thematic Option and Freshman Science Honors require a dedicated application in your USC portal.
Does being in an honors program add time to your degree?
No — both programs satisfy Gen Ed and science requirements within the normal four-year plan.
Are there extra scholarships tied to honors?
No. Honors program membership is not directly tied to additional tuition scholarships, though some research/project grants may be available.
What are the deadlines?
Thematic Option: Apply by April 18 (priority); after May 1 (rolling if space)
Freshman Science Honors: Apply by April 15 (priority); after May 1 (waitlist if space remains)
Thematic Option Honors – https://dornsife.usc.edu/thematic-option/apply/
TO/Freshman Science Honors Deadlines – https://dornsife.usc.edu/freshman-science-honors/how-to-apply/
Dornsife Honors Programs – https://dornsife.usc.edu/admissions/honors-programs/
General Honors FAQs – https://dornsife.usc.edu/thematic-option/faq/
⭐ College Specialty
USC isn’t just another private university in Los Angeles — it’s a Carnegie R1 Research University with national name recognition. From Hollywood to Wall Street to Silicon Beach, USC programs feed directly into industries where Trojans carry serious influence. Families often find that choosing USC isn’t only about the scholarships — it’s about the professional doors those programs open.
USC’s film school is consistently ranked #1 nationally (Hollywood Reporter, 2025) and offers unmatched alumni pipelines into the entertainment industry.
- Marshall School of Business: Ranked among the Top 3 undergraduate business programs in the U.S. (Poets&Quants, 2025), with strong consulting and tech industry ties.
- Viterbi School of Engineering: Multiple engineering disciplines consistently in the Top 10 nationally (U.S. News, 2024), including computer science and aerospace.
- Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism: Recognized as a leader in digital media, PR, and journalism with direct access to LA media markets.
- Cinematic + Interactive Media: Known for innovation in gaming and interactive technology, ranked top in the U.S. for game design (Princeton Review, 2024).
📎 Official Links
- University of Southern California Homepage
- USC Thematic Option Honors Program
- USC Scholarships & Financial Aid