<p>How hard is it really to get a full-tuition scholarship?
I think I could get into USC , but I would really need some $$$ to attend (very very low income family).</p>
<p>I know I'm at least a NM commended scholar, and USC is definitely my first choice. But I doubt that's good enough...</p>
<p>So could any trustee scholars post their stats, or anyone else offer some advice?</p>
<p>Here's what happened with me. I had X amount of university grant which equaled Y amount of financial aid altogether. I had a Deans scholarship of about $7,000. When I got the Presidential scholarship, they replaced the Deans with that one and lowered X so that I had the same Y. In other words, getting the Presidential scholarship didn't help me at all in terms of financial aid. I still feel a bit like I got the short end of financial aid, since why should I study harder for scholarships if they're going to give me the same amount of aid in the end? But of course, I had to study hard to get accepted to USC in the first place.</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Basically, since USC is need based, your need (determined by fafsa/css) will be met. Any scholarships you receive (from USC or from outside sources) will lower your grant (aid) from USC. Scholarships only help those you don't get any need based aid, or have a scholarship that superceeds the money they will receive in need based aid.</p>
<p>Yes, USC will meet your need 100%. USC gives out a ton of financial aid. The only problem many people have been having is that they believe that the EFC calculated by the FAFSA is unrealistic of how much the family can actually contribute.</p>
<p>I understand that USC also asks for the CSS Profile. The 2 forms, FAFSA and Profile often show a different EFC. Not sure which USC uses, the lowest, highest or some other formula. That is the issue I have with financial aid in general. Though I understand that USC is very generous with both scholarship and financial aid.</p>
<p>I've read more than once that the EFC determined by USC tends to be closest to the CSS PROFILE's number, for better or worse.</p>
<p>Regarding your first question, it isn't that hard to get a full-tuition scholarship. However, it seems that it does require a good deal of luck. Many well-qualified people were completely looked over while some seemingly average applicants got the scholarship. Good luck! On your app high SATs really help with getting a scholarship. Also, make yourself look as interesting as possible. Get good recs, describe the ecs that really matter to you in depth, and make it look really nice. (ie typing the app instead of filling it out by hand and using cardinal and gold striped paper clips...it worked for me :)</p>
<p>cardinal + gold stripped paper clips... impressive, indeed :)</p>
<p>thanks for the input</p>
<p>Yea...I wore a Cardinal and Gold tie to the interview (for the Pres scholarship) and got it!</p>
<p>Intelliot,</p>
<p>What components of the Profile does USC use? Some schools exclude home equity. Other schools enable a deduction for private school education for other siblings. Neither of these are components of the FAFSA.</p>
<p>I have no idea. I did not get any need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>for those of you who recieved their financial aid package, what's your EFC and the total grant amount?</p>
<p>The estimated cost of attendance for me is $ 44, 722
$2,500 Work study
$1,380 Perkins
$2,625 Subsidized Stafford
$28,518 Grant
So, I'll be paying approx 9,600.
Fafsa efc: $7140</p>
<p>that looks like a pretty fair aid package actually. Do you recall when you submitted your fafasa and css? and do you know if you actually get more if you sumbit it earlier?</p>
<p>Federal Pell Grant $4,050
Federal SEOG Grant $1,200
University Grant $27,822
Federal Perkins Loan $4,000
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan $3,500
Federal Work-Study $2,750
total: $43,322</p>
<p>My EFC is 0.</p>
<p>OMG u guys are so lucky!!!</p>
<p>The ONLY thing i got was a $3400 loan for the whole year -_- My parents are really stressing out over this.</p>
<p>uscwannabe, do you recall how long after you recieved your acceptance did you see your status regarding finaid?</p>
<p>I sent the fafsa around the end of feb. Doesn't css have a deadline? If not, then it must have been mid-feb. I got my acceptance early april, and the fin aid info around april 20. They wanted the tax forms before processing my aid.</p>
<p>student4u, did you check online at <a href="http://www.usc.edu/finaid?%5B/url%5D">www.usc.edu/finaid?</a> I was admitted as a transfer student at 05/24, and my package was posted on that website on the 28th. It took about two weeks before I actually received it in mail.</p>
<p>i have not checked it there, but i've been checking on oasis. i'm going to take a look there now. thanks!</p>