University of Southern California
PA-8: Affordability and Access

USC’s undergraduate admission process is need-blind. Ability to pay has no bearing on admission decisions. USC will fully meet each student’s demonstrated financial need with a combination of federal, state and university need-based grants; USC scholarships; Federal Work-Study; and loans.

- Information on need-based financial aid: https://financialaid.usc.edu/
- Information on who receives financial aid: https://financialaid.usc.edu/undergraduates/prospective/who-receives-FA.html
- Information on types of financial aid: https://financialaid.usc.edu/undergraduates/prospective/types-of-aid.html

In February 2020, the USC Affordability Initiative was announced. Beginning with new first-year students enrolling in fall 2020 or later: Students from U.S. families with an annual income of $80,000 or less with typical assets will attend USC tuition free. Owning a home will not be counted in the calculation used to determine a student’s financial need. The initiative will expand assistance and boost opportunities for students who may previously have earned too much to qualify for adequate aid, or too little to afford a top-tier college education.
Website Link: affordability.usc.edu

The Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) at USC supports more than 1,000 children in college access programs and early literacy programs each year. USC McMorrow NAI is an academically rigorous and comprehensive, seven-year pre-college program designed to prepare students from South and East Los Angeles for admission to a college or university.
Students who remain in the program in good standing from sixth grade until their high school graduation are eligible for a fully funded financial aid package without loans, to USC, provided they meet admission requirements.
The USC McMorrow NAI program also provides support to all NAI Scholars through their first college degree. Since its first graduating class in 1997, nearly 1,040 students have completed the program with 83 percent enrollment as freshman at four-year universities, and 42 percent enrollment at USC.
Website Link: https://communities.usc.edu/educational-partnerships/nai/

The Norman Topping Student Aid Fund (NTSAF) is the only student-initiated, student-funded, primarily student-governed scholarship in the nation. NTSAF assists students with high financial need who demonstrate an extraordinary level of community awareness in their pursuit of higher education at USC.
The fund provides support and guidance, community-building programs, and financial assistance. The NTSAF offers supplemental scholarships to entering freshmen, transfer and graduate students. Applicants residing in areas surrounding the University Park Campus and Health Sciences campus and first-generation college students are given primary consideration in the selection process.
Website Link: https://ntsaf.usc.edu/

USC’s provides need-based funding to undocumented students who meet the California Dream Act requirements, or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

USC Student Equity and Inclusion Programs (SEIP) is a cluster of student development centers and initiatives within Student Affairs that offer student support services and programs that focus on intersectionality, sense of belonging and well-being.
Website Link: https://seip.usc.edu/about-seip/

SEIP includes these departments:
- The First Generation Plus Success Center at USC (FG+SC) serves as a resource hub for current first-generation, undocumented, transfer, and former foster youth students as they navigate campus. The center connects first-generation+ college students to resources, support services, and engagement opportunities on campus that will enhance their overall student experience.
Website link: https://firstgenplussc.usc.edu/
- The Student Basic Needs department fosters a culture of holistic well-being by helping to eliminate life barriers, such as food, housing, and economic injustice, that may jeopardize student academic and personal success. The department offers supplemental assistance to address housing, food and financial insecurity.
Website Link: https://seip.usc.edu/centers/studentbasicneeds/

Other Departments/Centers:
- Asian Pacific American Student Services
- Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs
- First Generation Plus Success Center
- Latinx/Chicanx Center for Advocacy and Student Affairs
- LGBTQ+ Student Center
- Student Basic Needs
- Veterans Resource Center

Additional Information: https://financialaid.usc.edu/