Janice Lozano
The University of Southern California (USC) is known for its diverse student body, with citizens of more than 130 countries comprising over 26% of its students. While federal and university policies limit need-based financial aid to US citizens and eligible non-citizens, USC does offer other sources of financial aid to international students. These include merit-based scholarships, on-campus work opportunities, and off-campus work with permission from the Office of International Services. Additionally, international students can explore external scholarships and loan options to help finance their education. USC also offers the prestigious Trustee Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship based on academic excellence, leadership, service, and talent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Need-based financial aid | Not available to international students |
| Merit-based scholarships | Available to international students |
| On-campus work | Available to international students |
| Off-campus work | Available with permission from the Office of International Services |
| Loan options | Available |
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What You'll Learn
USC offers merit-based scholarships to international students
The University of Southern California (USC) offers merit-based scholarships to international students. While federal and university policy limit need-based financial aid to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, international students may be awarded merit scholarships and other departmental awards.
USC offers a range of scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students every year, with most funds coming from federal, state, and private sources. One notable scholarship is the Trustee Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship based on academic excellence, leadership, service, and talent. The Presidential Scholarship is another merit-based scholarship that covers half of the tuition fees. These scholarships are highly competitive, and applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Additionally, some departments at USC disburse scholarships directly to recipients in the form of monthly stipends. International students can also seek on-campus work opportunities (excluding Federal Work-Study) and, with permission from the Office of International Services, off-campus work. It is important to note that off-campus work authorization is very limited.
USC has a diverse student body, with citizens from over 130 countries comprising more than 26% of the university's population. The university maintains a strong investment in financial aid for undergraduate students and has a tradition of meeting 100% of the USC-determined financial need for students who meet all deadlines and eligibility requirements.
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Undergraduate scholarships for international students
The University of Southern California (USC) is known for its high-achieving undergraduate population, with students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries around the world. While USC does not offer need-based financial aid to international students, they may be eligible for merit-based scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, service, and talent. International students can also seek other sources of aid, such as on-campus work (excluding Federal Work-Study) and off-campus work with permission from the Office of International Services. However, off-campus work authorization is very limited.
The availability and amount of merit-based scholarships for international students may vary across departments and majors. Some scholarships are administered directly by the Office of Admission, ranging in value from a few thousand dollars to full tuition. Students applying to the Marshall School of Business are encouraged to apply for Early Decision by November 1 to be considered for scholarships. Similarly, applicants to majors in Architecture, Art and Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Music, and the World Bachelor in Business program should apply by December 1 for scholarship consideration.
It is important to note that USC has a need-blind admission process, meaning that a student's ability to pay or interest in financial aid does not affect their admission decision. USC has a long tradition of meeting 100% of the USC-determined financial need for students who meet all deadlines and eligibility requirements.
To estimate your financial aid eligibility, you can visit the USC Financial Aid Calculators. Additionally, students seeking financial aid are advised to apply for aid every year, as their estimated contribution may be adjusted to reflect changes in their family's financial situation.
While USC does not disclose the exact number of international students receiving merit-based scholarships, it is known that approximately two-thirds of the undergraduate population receives some form of financial aid.
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Graduate scholarships for international students
Although international students at USC are not eligible for federal or need-based financial aid, they may be awarded merit-based scholarships and other departmental awards. These merit-based scholarships are offered by some departments directly to recipients in the form of monthly stipends. Students can also take on on-campus work (not including Federal Work-Study) and off-campus work, with permission from the Office of International Services.
International students at USC can explore external funding opportunities such as the AmberScholar program, which provides up to $12,000 in financial aid. Scholarships are also available for students with special talents in music, athletics, research, or entrepreneurship.
To increase your chances of earning a scholarship, it is recommended that you maintain a high GPA (at least 3.7+), excel in standardized tests, showcase leadership and involvement through extracurriculars, community service, or student organizations, craft a strong USC essay, and secure strong recommendations.
Additionally, students may need to apply for financing with a co-borrower who is a creditworthy US citizen or permanent resident.
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External scholarships for international students
International students at USC can apply for external scholarships to help fund their studies. These scholarships are offered by various organizations and institutions outside of USC, providing financial support to international students who demonstrate merit, financial need, or other specific criteria. Here are some examples of external scholarships available to international students:
- The Garden Club of America: Offers 28 merit-based scholarships and fellowships in areas related to conservation, ecology, horticulture, and pollinator research.
- RISE Germany: Provides undergraduate students from North America, the UK, and Ireland with opportunities to undertake summer research internships at top German universities and research institutions.
- Go Overseas and Education in Ireland: Offer 15 full-tuition scholarships for international students studying in Ireland.
- Freeman-ASIA: Supports U.S. citizens or permanent residents with financial needs to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
- Fund for Education Abroad (FEA): Invests in promising students with financial needs who wish to study abroad.
- DeKarman Fellowships: Open to students in any discipline, including international students enrolled in a university or college in the United States. Offers $16,000 scholarships for the final year of study for juniors or Ph.D. candidates.
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Japan Scholarship Program: Offers full scholarships for citizens of ADB's developing member countries to pursue postgraduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and development-related fields at participating institutions in Asia and the Pacific Region.
- American Association for University Women – International Fellowships: Provides support for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- BUTEX Scholarships: Awards scholarships worth £600 to undergraduate students embarking on international experiences in the UK, emphasizing sustainable practices and cultural exchange.
- The Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships: Offers funding for students interning during the summer in U.S. Embassies in London or Paris or the Secretary of State's Office in Washington, D.C.
These are just a few examples of external scholarships available to international students at USC. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and deadlines, so students should refer to the official websites for detailed information. Additionally, students can explore other external scholarship opportunities through online platforms like BeGlobalii, which connects students with global academic and career opportunities.
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On-campus work for international students
International students at USC are not eligible for federal or USC need-based financial aid. However, they may be awarded merit scholarships and/or departmental awards. One such award is on-campus work, which does not include Federal Work-Study.
International students at USC can work on campus for up to 20 hours a week during the fall and spring semesters, and up to 40 hours a week during the summer and university breaks. F-1/J-1 students may begin on-campus employment at the beginning of their first semester. However, they are not eligible for work-study positions, which are funded only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents by the U.S. government.
Finding on-campus work
On-campus jobs can be found through the Handshake portal, although some departments use their own websites for job postings. Students can also attend the On-Campus Student Job Fair, which is held at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, to learn about on-campus employment opportunities and talk with select employers.
Example on-campus jobs
On-campus jobs at USC include positions in the following areas:
- Bookstore
- Department of Public Safety
- Libraries
- Hospitality services
- Transportation services
- The USC Hotel
- Athletics
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Frequently asked questions
USC does not offer need-based financial aid to international students. However, international students may be eligible for merit-based scholarships, departmental awards, or on-campus work opportunities.
The University of Southern California (USC) offers a variety of merit-based scholarships for international students. The Trustee Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship based on academic excellence, leadership, service, and talent. The Presidential Scholarship is a half-tuition scholarship that is also merit-based. These scholarships are highly competitive, and applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
In addition to merit-based scholarships, international students at USC may be able to work on campus or, with permission from the Office of International Services, off-campus. Off-campus work authorization is very limited. International students may also consider applying for external scholarships or loans to help fund their education.
To apply for scholarships or financial aid at USC, international students should visit the university's website and the International Student page. They can also seek advice from online communities and forums specifically for international students applying to US universities, such as r/IntltoUSA and r/ApplyingToCollege on Reddit.
