How do they determine full tuition/ride scholarships at USC

So I’m going to apply by the deadline but how do they decide if you get the scholarship or not? Does it depend on grades, extracurriculars or test scores?

I’m asking this because I’m sure I won’t get financial aid since my family makes over $100k a year and I’m an only child, but I know for sure my parents can’t pay the full tuition and room and board.

"Does it depend on grades, extracurriculars or test scores? "
ALL of the above + leadership and that holistic “special sauce” that USC wants from its scholars.

“Candidates are selected by USC faculty
and staff from an extremely competitive
international pool. Applicants pursue the
most demanding curriculum and achieve at
the highest level.
Average SAT and ACT scores are in the top
1 to 2 percent of all students nationwide. In
addition to academic criteria, candidates’
talent, perseverance, innovation, involvement
and leadership are considered.”

Oh I got a 27 on the ACT so I for sure won’t get the scholarship. Thank you though!

However, 100K is NOT too high for financial aid. At top colleges (look at LACs as well as research U’s) you can go up to 160K.
Are you the first one to go to college in your family? What’s in-state for you?

" At top colleges (look at LACs as well as research U’s) you can go up to 160K."

MYOS1634,
The OP got a 27 on the ACT.
He’s NOT going to get into TOP colleges with that score.

@notbreathing Your stats are good, but not high enough to get into the top schools that give lots of aid.

how much will your family pay?

If you need merit, then you need to apply to schools where an ACT 27 is considered to be high. Those might be the lesser known schools.