Scholarships at University of Southern California

Merit scholarship of thirteen thousand dollars per year for continuing USC undergraduate students who are direct descendants of a Half Century Trojan: a grandchild or great-grandchild of someone who earned an undergraduate degree from USC fifty or more years ago, or of someone who earned an undergraduate degree elsewhere fifty-plus years ago and later earned a USC graduate degree. Selection considers academic achievement, leadership potential, and community service. An interview is required for finalists. Recipients may receive the award for up to six undergraduate semesters while maintaining a 3.0 USC cumulative GPA and full-time status.

Twelve-thousand-five-hundred-dollar annual scholarship for approximately two incoming first-year students demonstrating academic excellence and leadership within or in service of the Jewish community, including efforts to combat antisemitism. Submit a Common Application by November 1 or December 1 for portfolio majors, then complete a separate Jewish Community Leadership application due January 15 with one required recommendation letter. Recipients are expected to become involved with the USC Jewish community and volunteer for prospective Jewish student recruitment. Open to all applicants meeting criteria without respect to religious background.

Partial tuition scholarship for incoming and continuing USC undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic and personal merit plus involvement in the African-American community. Average awards are three thousand dollars for undergraduates and one thousand dollars for graduate students, with a range up to ten thousand dollars. Apply through Scholarship Universe; the 2026-27 application opens December 1, 2025, with a February 1, 2026 deadline. Recipients complete volunteer service hours each semester and attend BAA scholar meetings. Students receiving tuition remission or Presidential Scholarships are ineligible.

Need-based scholarship for continuing USC undergraduate students awarded annually by USC regional alumni groups across the country. Awards range from one thousand to four thousand dollars per year. Applicants must hold a permanent address in the region of the awarding alumni group and apply via Scholarship Universe, selecting the California or outside-California regional scholarship as appropriate. The 2026-27 application closes April 3, 2026. Recipients must reapply each year. Scholarships cover tuition only. Students receiving full tuition benefits from tuition remission, trustee scholarships, or athletic scholarships are ineligible.

Merit and need-based scholarship for full-time USC undergraduate, transfer, graduate, and professional students with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants of all ethnic backgrounds are eligible; positive consideration is given to students who advocate for Asian Pacific Islander communities. Selected scholars complete a donor gratitude statement, attend APAA fundraising events, and fulfill ten service hours per academic year. All recipients must reapply annually; awards are not guaranteed from year to year. In 2025-26, APAA awarded over two hundred thousand dollars to one hundred students across fifty majors.