<p>My problem is regarding the financial verification process. Simply put, my family has no where near the resources to pay for USC. So there's no way I can show financial proof of that much money. My only hope of attending is scholarships/fin aid. So what should I do with the Financial form? Do I just show what my parents earn and give a letter explaining my situation?
What should I do?</p>
<p>you’ll fill out your FAFSA, and fill out their individual financial aid forms, like most people and what they do is determine how much your family is expected to pay per year based on their income, assets, etc. and since USC covers 100% of need, they pay for the rest in scholarships/grants/loans/jobs, but mostly scholarships/grants. </p>
<p>Basically, if your family makes no money and doesn’t own a house, you’ll be expected to pay nothing, and USC will cover your costs with scholarships/grants/loans/jobs. You’re not a special case, and the financial aid is one of the main reasons I picked USC, as I’m in a similar situation and wont be expected to pay much.</p>
<p>as a rough estimate, at most ivies and UChicago, if your parents make less than $60k a year, you pretty much automatically are paid in full, and just have to pay back a small sliver of loans once you graduate. USC isn’t quite as good, but at $40k a year, you can expect A LOT of aid. Just depends on your situation (granted there are a lot of other factors, such as siblings in college, assets [6% of your real-estate value is included, so if you own a $100k house, add $6k to your income basically], and other factors.) I’m no expert, but you can post on the financial aid forums to get an estimate.</p>
<p>Oh wait. I don’t file the FAFSA. I forgot to mention (though it is mentioned in my location) that I’m an international. That pretty much screws me over.</p>
<p>University of chicago gives full financial aid to households that make less than $60,000?</p>
<p>The best thing to do is to call an Admissions Counsellor. I called with the same question and they said that the Financial Certification isn’t required for a decision to be made, but that you must submit it before they will release that decision (ie. they won’t tell you if you got in or not unless you send the form).</p>
<p>Perhaps you can sort out your special circumstances with them or something. I have found them to be very helpful and willing to help.</p>
<p>The number to call would be: 213 740 2311 (put the US calling code before obviously)</p>
<p>Oh ok, then I’ll mull it over and submit the financial bit later. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>yes, Chicago has a scholarship meant for anyone whose parents make under $60k, but that’s just a specific example, they got some anonymous donation years ago of like $10billion, and that’s what they used it for</p>
<p>Yeah being an international definitely changes everything hah. Financial aid is definitely rough on internationals, but I don’t really know much about it, sorry :/</p>
<p>I hope you will be at USC next year, but I want to recommend that in addition to applying to USC, you go on the Financial Aid board of CC to find the complete list of American Universities that are need-blind for international students. This will help you to make sure that you have some financial back-ups, just in case.</p>
<p>wow, that’s very impressive for what chicago is doing. i wish these knuckleheads in CA would value educations as much as other states and out-of-state universities</p>
<p>I am currently a sophomore at USC, and I applied to the school as an international.</p>
<p>I was basically in the same boat that you were in. My only chance of attending was if I got the Trustee scholarship. </p>
<p>I didn’t even bother filing FAFSA b/c USC doesn’t give financial aid to international students.</p>
<p>For the proof of financial support, I submitted a copy of whatever we had in the bank at the moment, and a letter proving my dad’s employment and his supposed ability to support me. </p>
<p>I was very thankful to have gotten the Trustee scholarship, and it ended up working out. </p>
<p>Btw, seeing that you’re an international, you’d still have to pay for housing + boarding + other expenses b/c USC doesn’t offer a “full-ride.” Trustee is their biggest scholarship, and it’s only full-tuition, while USC is a very expensive area to live in. Thankfully, my family can support me each year with around $10,000. Thus, unless your family can support you for up to $15,000 for at least your freshman year, you might need to consider looking into outside scholarships, or schools that are need-blind to international students or offer full-rides, though from my experience, it was very difficult. </p>
<p>Good luck!! ^_^</p>
<p>Thanks Nester and lulupony. </p>
<p>I guess USC won’t be possible. There’s no way my parents can cough up $10k each year for non-tuition stuff. I’ll send my transcripts in anyway seeing that I’ve already submitted my application.</p>