Plus the university recalculates your GPA according to their own formula, so that becomes another variable. So use the descriptions as a guideline, but you’ll have to wait for the letter to get your actual award amount.
Thank you for all of your responses. For the parents that experienced the wait in the past, did you wait until the merit aid was awarded before you submitted your deposit and selected housing? We are hoping for the Capstone invitation and housing and have not officially committed to USC. Is this the best path?
The way housing worked this past year is that your application date was the basis for priority in choosing housing–not the date of acceptance or the date you paid the deposit. So you should be safe to wait to hear about Capstone before depositing (if that will affect your kid’s final choice) as his/her housing priority is already established (presuming no change from current practice). FWIW, my kid knows a few Capstone kids who did not get into that dorm (it was full). My kid did not get a spot in the Honors dorm until about 2 weeks before move-in. Just depends how the yield is for those two programs.
@goober1997 My D is currently a sophomore. We waited until after scholarships were awarded because my D was deciding between a few schools. Ended up going to a few accepted students days at her final choices before submitting our deposit. She was able to get her 1st choice housing (Patterson) which is very popular. Waiting did not hurt us at all.
They must have started early this year. We just received my D OOS scholarship today. Woodrow and we are thrilled!
I’m in-state but I’ve just received my scholarship today as well, $3,000 (Dean’s Scholar).
Also OOS and D received McKissick today - so proud!
My son received his - Flinn. Did anyone receive info about Capstone?
Congrats to all of you… So glad they sent it out earlier this year, the anticipation was killing me
My daughter received her Capstone invitation in the mail today.
@jomoney Are you in or out of state?
@SALSRL out of state (NC)
Thank you @jomoney ! Congrats! Hoping one comes our way…
Thanks @SALSRL! Good luck to you!
DS received his Capstone invitation today.
Received Capstone Invite today. OOS (NJ)
DS received his official letter naming him as a Carolina Scholar. 
Anyone know when students are notified of the USC Stem Supplements?