<p>I have read some topics on this already, but I just want to know for my specific case.</p>
<p>I submitted my application Jan 1st. I think I am unbelievably stupid for not knowing about the limited financial aid opportunities USC gives to internationals. So as an international I only qualify for merit-based and not for need-based which downright sucks, because the deadline for that was December 1st. </p>
<p>My single-parent family will NOT be able to contribute to any of the tuition fee, so now what should I do? How do I fill out the form if there's no option for my parent to pay? Is there any possibility to still apply for merit-basid scholarships? Could I find sponsors? Should I put down whether I am eligible for a loan?</p>
<p>I am planning on calling the Fulbright Center, but they're closed till the 6th. I know a lot of the answers are to be find online, but I the search doesn't really go well now I'm panicking. </p>
<p>I hope you have some answers for me! USC is definitely one of my dream schools!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, you have missed the merit deadline. As you are now aware, financial aid for international students can be very limited in the US (for very obvious reasons). Your best bet is a school in your own country.</p>
<p>As camomof3 says, it is unfortunate that you have missed the scholarship deadline. USC does not provide need-based aid to International applicants, and a letter of admission cannot be sent until the letter of financial support showing that you can pay in full for your first year has been received by USC. This is a regulation imposed by US immigration, not USC.</p>
<p>Many International applicants who applied by the December 1st deadline will receive merit scholarships. They are eligible for the Trustee, Presidential and Dean’s scholarships with all other applicants as well as the International Freshman Scholarship (1/2 tuition) reserved only for International applicants.</p>
<p>It appears your only option for USC would be to take a gap year and re-apply by the scholarship deadline next year. Bear in mind, however, that International applicants who receive merit scholarships at USC are among the most highly qualified applicants in the world. In looking at the information in your previous posts it appears you would have to spend the gap year working on improving your resume.</p>
<p>To be brutally honest, in looking at your previous 30 posts you make no mention of USC until this post. Perhaps you have only recently discovered USC and are using the “dream school” designation a bit loosely? In general, applicants who dream of attending a particular school do extensive research in preparing their applications and are aware of the deadlines.</p>
<p>Thanks for responding.</p>
<p>Compared to US citizens, yes I have discovered USC recently, April last year. Considering I was attending a Dutch school before doing IB I had not done legit research on US universities before that, because it was too painful to look at options that I could not apply to anyway. You have to understand that I miraculously was given the opportunity to do IB only shortly before I graduated. </p>
<p>No one in my school has ever sent anyone to US universities. Hence this whole process was new to them as well. My careers counsellor had never heard of USC. Yes it’s stupid that I didn’t know the Dec 1st deadline, but I do consider USC one of my dream schools. All universities I applied to are. </p>
<p>Gap year will not be an option. Oh well.</p>
<p>It does not appear that a US school will be a viable option for you financially for your undergraduate degree. Perhaps you could look to completing your undergraduate degree in your home country and consider attending a US university for graduate school. That would give you three+ years to thoroughly research the teaching assistant/research stipends and other tuition remission opportunities available at various US schools to International graduate students.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. I have applied RD already, so nothing can be done anymore besides filling in the CSS form for the others. I’ll look for scholarships that my home country could give me. I hope for the best and maybe I’ll be lucky in these financially discouraging times. Again thanks :)</p>
<p>haha,
I was an exchange student in the Netherlands. So I have fond memories of the country which suffered so much through the wars. Unfortunately, spots in highly selective universities in the U.S. are sought after by U.S. students and those living abroad. Private universities, with some exceptions, do not have the funds to help all the U.S. students who need financial assistance in these economic times.</p>
<p>There is no penalty if you withdraw your application if you KNOW there is no possibility of you attending a private U.S. university. As was suggested graduate school may be the better option for you with more time to prepare. </p>
<p>SC is a great university with many opportunities. I wish you luck in your college search.</p>