<p>I recently discovered USC and I was very impressed. I do have a few concerns about their financial aid. I know that they will meet 100% of the demonstrated need, which is good. </p>
<p>My parents make less than $60,000 a year, so I'm hoping that my EFC will be fairly low. My mom doesn't want me to graduate with any debt. Is this possible? I realize that I will have to get a work-study and I'm prepared to do that. I also know that there are many scholarship options available. I will try to take advantage of those. </p>
<p>My UW GPA is a 3.94 and my W is 4.4. My ACT score will probably be a 30.</p>
<p>I know that I probably didn't provide enough information, but hopefully there is something to work with!</p>
<p>My parents make less than $60,000 a year, so I’m hoping that my EFC will be fairly low. My mom doesn’t want me to graduate with any debt. Is this possible?</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I think USC does put the maximum of student loans in their FA packages, so you could graduate with about $30k in debt.</p>
<p>My UW GPA is a 3.94 and my W is 4.4. My ACT score will probably be a 30.</p>
<p>That could be a problem for admission. USC is very test score driven…and a 30 isn’t high for USC. My nephew was rejected with a 4.5 GPA and a 31 ACT this last spring.</p>
<p>Very few people will graduate with no debt. In fact, I think that USC gives everyone the maximum standard Federal Stafford Loan. USC is quite generous with financial aid though, and individual departments give money as well.</p>
<p>Basically, if you qualify for Stafford Loans and Work-Study, then they will give you those first. After that, they divvy out grant money and scholarships.</p>
<p>Your ACT score is not going to help you, but it’s not going to hurt you either. Your GPA is good. Did you/are you planning on taking the SAT?</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids: No. I’m from rural Missouri. My school is extremely small and the most of graduates end up going to community college or Mizzou. I’m also taking the most rigorous classes I can. My main extracurricular activities are: marching/contest band, varsity debate and 4-H. I just finished my sophomore year and I took the ACT for the first time a couple weeks ago. I haven’t received my score yet. I’m planning on taking it again unless I get a 32.</p>
<p>Hawkwings: I might. I’m still trying to decide. I’m planning on taking the SAT Subject tests in Literature and US history. I also would like to major in international relations with a minor in Middle Eastern studies.</p>
<p>*I just finished my sophomore year and I took the ACT for the first time a couple weeks ago. I haven’t received my score yet. I’m planning on taking it again unless I get a 32. *</p>
<p>Well, you’re still young and you have time.</p>
<p>Take the SAT in October as a practice for the PSAT. Be sure to take the PSAT at your school…ask your GC about that now!! And practice for that.</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids: My school is getting a new administration for this coming school year, so I haven’t even met the new GC. I found out yesterday that 13 teachers left, so it will be so different. I’ll also have to see about the SAT. Only one person from my school has ever taken it. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>The PSAT isn’t the same as the SAT. The PSAT is given in the fall of junior year and it is basically a national scholarship competition. There are colleges that give merit just to kids who do really well on it. Around here, PSAT is offered by the school to all students. If your school doesn’t offer it, call around and find a school that does. Tell them in advance that you want to take it with them. They may allow it. (I know homeschoolers who have done this.) It only counts in the fall of junior year and it must be taken on the day the school gives it.</p>
<p>2collegewego: Oh, I understand. I had never heard of it until it was mentioned on CC. I emailed my GC, so hopefully he can make it available for me. Thanks.</p>
<p>I hate to make excuses, but as far as I know, there is only one school that offers it and it was destroyed in a tornado about a month ago, so I don’t know if it’s even possible to take it. The new HS will take 2-3 years before it will be built.</p>
<p>Chelsea, my son is an incoming freshman. His FA package includes $5500 in student loans. Next year it will be $6500. $3500 is subsidized so there is no interest until 6 months after he graduates. He is hoping to not have to take the $2000 in unsubsidized loans. He was not offered work study. He received the Presidential Scholarship, has a small grant, and a few other small scholarships. USC was very reasonable with our EFC, but keep in mind the loans are on top of your EFC.</p>
<p>NC Mom: Thanks so much! You really broke it down for me. I just hope that I can find a good job after graduation so I can pay them back. In your opinion, did you find that the FA process went smoothly?</p>