<p>ArtsandLetters, to answer your question–yes, the practice of offsetting merit awards against need-based awards (a practice followed by most universities) certainly can become a disincentive to apply for merit awards, and it’s the same for outside scholarships. In the case that you bring up-- competing for many of the SCA scholarships requires a very serious process of writing essays, putting together portfolios, and other materials and the submissions have a rigid deadline, must be done in-person on one given morning per year–and must be complete. Some require submitting entire screenplays. It’s a lot of work and if all it does is replace Financial Aid grants, one must consider if it is worth it. </p>
<p>Of course, a parent’s income may change from year to year–and in a good year with a sudden windfall of income, a student’s FA award could be expected to be lowered. The same thing happens if an older sibling graduates. So for many families, the unconditional non-need-based merit award gives some peace of mind, in addition to the great recognition that getting awarded a talent-based scholarship can bring. School-based merit awards are competitive honors, often reflect excellence in grades as well as demonstrated talents, and can be listed on a student’s resume. But… as alamemom has posted often, any grant money awarded to a student is considered an asset when USC’s F/A calculations are made. Each and every time a student wins a fellowship, or awarded USC prize money, or gets bestowed a merit award, etc, the financial aid for the following year will likely be recalculated. </p>
<p>And just to end on a more upbeat note, if a student has been awarded $5K in need-based aid, and they subsequently receive merit awards (or a combination of them) of $14K, while the merit cancels out the need-based aid, the student actually gets the full $14K. </p>
<p>My D cried when she saw the financial aid package - our EFC is shockingly high - much more than the COA calculator even though we have another in college. But on the other hand, we really wanted this for her. It’s been her dream since she started high school and we are going to make it work. We told her we were braced for no-aid (even though the FAFSA EFC was low) and we were calculating the full brunt of the price. Anything over and above that was a gift. Still, I could see her suffering over what it would do for us financially. So I pointed out that the Plus Loan payments would be manageable for me and she should enroll and not look back. She’s really looking forward to preview day and so am I. My DH took her on college tours so this will be my first time seeing the campus. I’ll have to say, I think it’s coming up on a done deal. She’s already made friends of new admits on FB and has met other students from our area of the country who are going.</p>
<p>I guess my feeling is - SCA sent us a letter as parents thanking us for “getting her this far” for letting them take her on her next steps. No other college did that. I’ll admit it blunted the sticker shock - I’m now smitten with them too. :)</p>
<p>So I guess for the next year the family will have to be a scholarship applying machine to leap over the University grant hump. She likes a challenge.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for the advice here. It’s been a haven while we waited for the acceptance and the FA figures to arrive.</p>
<p>The Irene Beigelman Scholarship has been established for a graduate student working towards a Masters of Social Work. The selected recipient will be planning to work in the health field.</p>
<p>Add These to the list of Dornsife Continuing Student Scholarships…</p>
<p>Baerthlein Endowed Scholarship Fund
Biological Sciences and French Scholarship Fund
Bramlett Scholarship Fund
Davis Endowed Scholarship in Comparative Literature
Mandeville Memorial Scholarship
Royal Marks Endowed Scholarship
McCormick Endowed Scholarship Fund
Sylas Meyer Scholarship
Miller Endowed Scholarship</p>
<p>The following are scholarships which have individual applications. Each has separate qualifications, process and deadlines. Contact the Dornsife School for applications and requirements.</p>
<p>Joseph Allen-Trojan League of Los Angeles Endowed Scholarship Fund
Dean Joan Schaefer Scholarship
Skull & Dagger Scholarship
Robb Endowed Scholarship in Human Values
Barnes Endowed Scholarship
Boudreaux Poetry Award
Greenberg Fellowship in Poetry
Silverman Family Award
Foulke Endowment Fellowship
Lesher Family Scholarship
Rakusin Neuroscience Scholarship Award
Finney Award for Overseas Study
Gold Family Scholarships for Overseas Study
Ingriselli Family Scholarship for Overseas Study
Miller Travel Award for Overseas Study
Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowships
Sheyer Family Scholarship for Summer Interns</p>
<p>This scholarship was announced recently. An endowed memorial scholarship has been established in memory of Darlene Reid. The scholarship will be for an outstanding medical student in the Keck School of Medicine.</p>
<p>Did everyone hear back regarding the outcomes of the scholarship application for continuing students (especially from Marshall)? If so, when did you get the news?</p>
<p>Most got the news in May/June regarding the continuing students scholarships-- D had one with an early July due date for confirmation/paperwork completion.</p>
<p>“Notification and disbursement of awards will be made in July 2013. Please do not call to check on the status of your application. All applicants, whether they receive an award or not, will be notified.”</p>
<p>Don’t tell me we are going to find out the results on the last day of July. Hopefully not.</p>
<p>HSBC Scholars
This scholarship in Dornsife will provide some funding for successful applicants who are pursuing a degree in the STEM field. There is a financial need requirement for these scholars. Students must be at least juniors to apply and U.S. citizens. Applications are available in January 2014.</p>
<p>I am waiting for more information regarding the $20 million in scholarship funds donated in December 2013. As soon as I discover details and how to apply the news will be posted here.</p>
<p>The Rossier School of Education announced an endowed scholarship to support a student who aspires to become a school principal. Check with the school for more details.</p>
My D has been fortunate enough to get a returning student scholarship the past 2 years. This additional support has been truly wonderful for us. In addition, she has applied for SURF and Provost funds for the last several years which have been approved, providing an additional 1-3K each semester/summer.