<p>I submitted my application for the December 1st scholarship consideration deadline, but I'm not putting too much hope in actually getting a trustee scholarship, which is the only way we could afford it. And I haven't found much information regarding USC's need-based financial aid, so I was wondering if any current students could give me a bit of info on that. Thanks!</p>
<p>Some finacial aid info:
-USC administers one of the largest financial aid programs in the U.S.
-60% of USC students receive need-based financial aid
-USC guarantees to meet 100% of **USC-determined need **for admitted students</p>
<p>USC uses both the FAFSA and CSS/Profile to determine financial aid eligibility. They distribute Federal aid (Pell Grant, Stafford/Perkins loans/Plus loans, Federal Work/study) using the FAFSA and Federal guidlines, and they distribute institional aid (USC grants) using the CSS/Profile and their own formula.</p>
<p>Be sure you meet ALL DEADLINES. The 100% or USC-determined need guarantee does not apply if you miss ANY deadlines.</p>
<p>FAFSA and CSS/Profile deadline:
February 2nd, 2010.
Please start these forms well in advance of the deadlines as you may find you need to get more information to complete them. If your parents have not filed taxes at that point, they can complete the forms using estimates and update when they file. DO NOT MISS 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)</p>
<p>Our family’s personal experience is that USC is very generous with need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>(Did I mention that you should not miss any deadlines???)</p>
<p>I was disappointed by USC’s non-merit aid.</p>
<p>I applied by the Dec 1st deadline lastyear, but was not awarded anything other than loans (I have a special trust that the government watches, ie taxes, that is roughly 20,000, therefore I had to declare it on the FAFSA).<br>
During admit day or whatever, I went to the FA office to explain my situation… basically, my father was terminally ill at the time but was still working, however, they weren’t too generous. I even told them that I would end up across town in Blue and Gold if they didn’t help me out, trying to just pull any BS I could… Well, long story short, I am now finishing my first quarter as a Bruin, am now fatherless, and wondering how the hell I will be able to pay for a public institution whose FA is in the toilet.</p>
<p>binks09, sorry about your father. I hope things work out for you.</p>
<p>It depends on what other aid you get. If you get a lot of merit aid, you won’t get much need-based. They are increasing the dollar amount of need-based aid they are giving out next year, but they also predict that more people will be needing it. Generally, don’t expect need-based aid to be the deciding factor between going and not going. Loans are quite standard.</p>
<p>binks09, have you considered applying as a transfer? The deadline isn’t until February 1st. USC is one of the few universities that offer full financial aid to transfer students. If your 2009 financial information will be significantly different than 2008 (and from your comment above, it sounds as though it will), it might be worth the application fee to see what USC offers you this time. You would still have your spot at UCLA, but a possible option to transfer. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Bets wishes to you and your family.</p>
<p>binks09, so sorry about your father. I second alamemom’s suggestion about applying as a transfer student.what do you have to lose? When you submit your FA application, be sure to include [ in a supplemental page if necessary] a list of any and all expenses - medical and otherwise- that your family incurred from your father’s illness last year, as well as a copy of his death certificate.</p>
<p>@alamemom
Thanks for the info! I’ll be sure not to miss any deadlines (although I’ve submitted Part II of my application by Dec. 1st, i’m hoping my recommendations have made it in time). I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.</p>
<p>@binks09
I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps you can try applying as a transfer, as both alamemom and menloparkmom have suggested. I hope everything works out for the best! Don’t worry too much.</p>
<p>it depends on how much money your family makes, really.</p>
<p>my family does not make much money (i received free/reduced lunches all throughout K-12) and USC gave me around 37k for my fr/so/jr years, and as a senior (due to the changed finaid guidelines) reduced my aid to 32k. i then appealed (i had weird circumstances) and they increased it to 35k. all these figures are separate from federal grants where, i receive a few thousand more. this year i do have 5k in loans, which was the most i’ve had to take out in a single year in my USC career.</p>