<p>I am the oldest child in my family, and therefore, the first one to go to college, and I was wondering how the USC financial aid and FAFSA in general works. I have heard that USC is more generous than others with their aid, but I doubt I will get anything I wont have to pay back later. I have some hope for a Dean's scholarship, but it will probably come down to student loans. Does anyone know how much is normal for students to take out? Like I said, I dont know how this process works at all, any help would be appreciated...</p>
<p>Have you applied for USC financial aid?</p>
<p>The FAFSA and CSS/Profile were due February 2nd. Have you already filed them? If not, you should submit them as soon as possible. </p>
<p>The average dollar amount of loans is not a useful figure for an individual student to figure out how much they will need to borrow. If you do not qualify for need-based aid, your loan amount would be whatever amount you and your family cannot pay of the cost of attendance. The cost of attendance is approximately $56,000.</p>
<p>USC financial aid info: [USC</a> Financial Aid - Applying & Receiving Financial Aid - Undergraduate - New Students](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/newstudents.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/newstudents.html)</p>
<p>Yes, I have done FAFSA and CSS/Profile and submitted them by the deadline. Is the financial aid all loans, or part grants as well? (I dont live in California, so I cant get the Cal grant) And do you by chance know the percentage of students that are on loans at USC? Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>Hmm… the % with loans? Well, USC packages Stafford subs and unsubs loans with all of their need-based packages, and approximately 60% of students receive need-based aid, so at least 60% are offered loans - though you are under no obligation to accept offered loans. It is also likely many students who do not qualify for need-based aid also make use of loans, so the % is probably higher.</p>
<p>USC need-based financial aid consists of grants, loans and federal work/study.</p>
<p>Start by reading at least the first two pages here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid-2010-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid-2010-a.html</a> , and then post if you have additional questions.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>