<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My son applied back on Dec 1st for scholarship consideration. Does USC need anything else like 2011 income tax returns (draft) or Fafsa or CSS before they decide on merit awards? When are these documents required by and do you need to submit all three?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>For MERIT awards:
The FAFSA, CSS/Profile and tax returns are not required for scholarship consideration or to be awarded merit scholarships.</p>
<p>For NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID:
All three - the FAFSA, CSS/Profile, and copies of both parent and student 2011 tax returns are REQUIRED before need-based aid packages will be awarded. Need-based aid will be coordinated with any merit scholarships that are awarded (that is, the scholarship will meet part of the “need,” so aid will be awarded on the remaining need).</p>
<p>DEADLINES:
The FAFSA and CSS/Profile deadline for new students (this includes both freshmen and transfer applicants) is February 2nd, 2012. If you have not completed your taxes at that point, use estimates and then submit corrections to the FAFSA when you file your taxes. The tax returns are due March 2nd, 2012 or as soon as possible thereafter. THIS is the year to try to get your taxes done early - USC will NOT present a need-based package until the FAFSA is updated to “already filed” and copies of signed tax returns have been submitted.</p>
<p>USC uses the CSS/Profile to calculate your need, so the amount you will be expected to contribute may differ from your FAFSA EFC (and by “differ” I mean it might be more).</p>
<p>USC Financial Aid website w/deadlines: [USC</a> Financial Aid - Applying & Receiving Financial Aid - Undergraduate - New Students](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates1/newstudents.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates1/newstudents.html)
Read the first couple of pages here for answers to LOTS of your questions: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid.html</a></p>
<p>Good luck!</p>