Hello,
I am planning to attend the Explore USC session because I was selected as a trustee scholarship finalist.
The brochure says the school will be covering up to $200 for students from anywhere outside California, Nevada, or Arizona (I live outside the United States by the way).
Other discussion threads mentioned that bringing the receipt of air travel fee will allow the school to send a $200 check later, which I think would be inconvenient for an international student like myself.
They say another option is to book through the USC travel agency, but I don’t see any information about it on the actual program sign up page nor the brochure.
Should I contact them separately or would they send me further notifications after I sign up for the program?
Thanks!
Hi! They reimburse you for $200, so make sure to bring the receipt and give it to admissions during Explore. USC doesn’t have a travel agency – they have a partnership with STA Travel, but honestly, that doesn’t really mean anything.
Apparently, I just found out they don’t do reimbursement for international students - kind of disappointed about that. I’m planning to contact STA Travel since that seems to be the only option to get a discount of some price. (It costs a lot to travel to America!) Thank you for your reply 
@OnMelancholyhill That’s weird… I’m international and they reimbursed me $200. But then also that was 3 years ago. Maybe bring your receipt anyway, and talk to someone in person?
@OnMelancholyhill My DS contacted STA and a representative set up an itinerary for him. She also told him that for international flights, USC will cover up to $200 in airfare. We didn’t end up using the STA itinerary, and booked the flights on our own. But he’ll bring a copy of the receipt for his plane ticket to Explore USC so he can submit it. I don’t think you have to use STA to get the stipend. As suggested by @LayraSparks bring a copy of the receipt for your plane ticket.
Just returned from Explore USC, where I was told to use the USC portal to seek reimbursement of the plane fare.