I was wondering if the USC merit scholarships are combined with need-based aid(merit + need-based), or if the merit scholarships simply replaced the need-based aid(merit instead of need-based). Thanks!
no and yes. If you are LUCKY enough to be offered the Trustee scholarship, which ONLY cover tuition costs, know that you would still\ have to pay room and board costs
Ok so if I have a low EFC, would the merit scholarships not be that helpful? I ran the NPC for USC and it set my potential costs at about 8K, which is less than room and board.
I know from direct experience that at USC, merit scholarships and need-based aid can be combined. If a student were to receive a Trustee Scholarship, and s/he still had USC need calculated need beyond that amount, additional need-based aid would be added to his or her/package. But keep in mind that that extra need-based aid could be in the form of loans or work, not necessarily grants.