Not sure where OP heard that USC offers good merit aid, but be warned, their awards are the most unpredictable (ask any HS counselor, USC makes them crazy). Just to clarify one thing that is frequently misunderstood and leads to heartbreak every year---- while USC will gives NMF half tuition, that is only if they are actually accepted. USC turns away many NMF every year. 230 NMF were accepted in 2014. You can be sure many many more than that applied. Just a heads up.