University of Southern California Scholarships 2027 | USA Funding Guide

Organiser	University of Southern California
Host Country	United States
Location	Los Angeles, California
Level	Undergraduate / PhD
Deadline	November 1, 2026 (early undergraduate)
Funding	Full tuition, partial tuition, PhD funding packages
Eligibility	International students for merit scholarships and PhD funding

The University of Southern California (USC) offers a range of prestigious scholarships for international students aiming to pursue undergraduate or PhD studies at its Los Angeles campus. For undergraduates, USC provides merit-based scholarships such as the Trustee Scholarship, which covers full tuition, the Presidential Scholarship covering half tuition, and the Deans Scholarship offering 25% tuition support. PhD candidates can access multi-year funding packages through fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships, often including tuition remission, stipends, and health insurance. International applicants are automatically considered for undergraduate merit awards upon submitting their admission applications by the appropriate deadlines. This guide explains the benefits, eligibility, application process, and deadlines for USC scholarships to help prospective students successfully secure funding.

Note: USC merit scholarships do not cover all living expenses, and international undergraduates are not eligible for need-based financial aid but can compete for merit scholarships and departmental awards.

• Boston University Scholarships
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University of Southern California Scholarships Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate and PhD
• Institution: University of Southern California
• Study Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Courses Eligible: Selected USC undergraduate and doctoral programmes
• Undergraduate Scholarship Duration: Up to eight semesters (ten for Bachelor of Architecture)
• Selection Criteria: Academic excellence, leadership, service, talent, and overall application strength
• Scholarship Consideration: Automatic with application submission by deadlines

The three scholarships covered in this guide are:

1. USC Trustee Scholarship
2. USC Presidential Scholarship
3. USC Deans Scholarship

University of Southern California Scholarships Deadline

Application deadlines for USC scholarships vary depending on the programme and admission route. Early submission increases chances for merit scholarship consideration, while PhD deadlines differ by department.

USC Trustee Scholarship Deadline

Applicants aiming for the Trustee Scholarship should submit their admission applications by November 1, 2026, through Early Action or Early Decision for most undergraduate majors.

USC Presidential Scholarship Deadline

Also considered in the November 1, 2026 deadline, the Presidential Scholarship evaluation aligns with general merit scholarship timelines for early undergraduate applicants.

USC Deans Scholarship Deadline

The Deans Scholarship consideration follows the same November 1, 2026 deadline for most majors. Dance, Dramatic Arts, and Music applicants using the performing-arts Regular Decision route have a December 1, 2026 deadline.

PhD Funding Deadlines

PhD application and funding deadlines vary by department, generally between December and January. Prospective doctoral students should verify specific dates with their programme.

University of Southern California Scholarship Coverage

USC Trustee Scholarship

The Trustee Scholarship is USC’s most generous undergraduate merit award, covering full tuition based on the flat-rate for 12–18 units per semester.

• Full tuition coverage for up to eight semesters (ten semesters for the Bachelor of Architecture)
• Available to international undergraduate applicants
• Does not cover housing, food, travel, books, or personal expenses
• Renewable annually subject to academic performance

USC Presidential Scholarship

This scholarship covers 50% of undergraduate tuition and is renewable for the standard duration of the undergraduate programme.

• Half tuition coverage based on full-time tuition rates
• Open to international students
• Merit-based selection focusing on academics, leadership, and talents

USC Deans Scholarship

The Deans Scholarship provides partial tuition support, covering one-quarter of the undergraduate tuition costs.

• 25% tuition coverage
• Renewable during the undergraduate study period
• Automatic consideration with admission application submission

USC PhD Funding

Doctoral funding packages vary by academic unit but often include a combination of tuition remission, stipends, and health benefits over multiple years.

• Full or partial tuition coverage
• Annual stipend for living expenses
• Teaching or research assistantships
• Fellowships providing tuition, fees, and stipends
• Health and dental insurance included in many programmes
• Funding duration typically four to five years depending on the department
• Examples: Price School offers four years of support; Political Science and International Relations provide five years; Marshall and Viterbi have tailored packages including fees and insurance

Eligibility Criteria for University of Southern California Scholarships

Applicants must meet both USC admission requirements and specific scholarship eligibility standards, including academic merit and other qualifications.

Undergraduate Merit Scholarships Eligibility

• Apply as first-year undergraduate student
• Submit a complete USC admission application by deadlines
• Meet academic requirements of chosen programme
• Demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, service, talent, or extracurricular achievements
• Fulfill English-language proficiency requirements
• Complete portfolio or audition if required by the programme
• International students are eligible
• USC operates a test-optional policy; SAT/ACT submission is voluntary and does not affect scholarship chances

PhD Funding Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Strong academic record
• Relevant preparation and research experience
• Compelling statement of purpose
• Strong recommendation letters
• English-language proficiency
• Programme-specific requirements

Funding decisions are linked to departmental admission evaluations.

How to Apply for University of Southern California Scholarships?

Application procedures differ between undergraduate merit scholarships and PhD funding. Merit scholarships are awarded through admission applications, while doctoral funding is managed by academic departments.

How to Apply for the USC Undergraduate Merit Scholarships?

1. Choose a USC undergraduate programme and verify additional material requirements (portfolio, audition, etc.).
2. Complete the Common Application with USC supplements, including personal details, academic records, activities, and recommendations.
3. Submit a strong application demonstrating academic and extracurricular excellence, leadership, and talents.
4. Submit English proficiency test scores if required.
5. Provide financial documentation showing availability of funds for the first academic year.
6. Wait for scholarship selection notifications; no separate scholarship application is needed.

How to Apply for USC PhD Funding?

1. Select a doctoral programme matching your research interests and check faculty, labs, and funding details.
2. Contact potential supervisors where appropriate with a concise academic CV.
3. Prepare and submit the graduate application, including transcripts, CV, statement of purpose, recommendations, and research samples.
4. Submit directly to the chosen USC PhD programme; funding is awarded through departmental processes.
5. Review funding offers carefully to understand tuition coverage, stipends, insurance, fees, and obligations.

Documents Required for University of Southern California Scholarships

Required documents vary by scholarship type and programme but generally include academic transcripts, test scores, personal statements, recommendation letters, and proof of financial support.

Undergraduate Scholarship Documents

1. Complete Common Application with USC supplement
2. Official high school transcripts
3. Recommendation letters
4. Portfolio or audition materials if applicable
5. English proficiency test scores (if required)
6. Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support and proof of funds for at least the first academic year

PhD Funding Documents

1. Academic transcripts
2. Academic CV
3. Statement of purpose
4. Letters of recommendation
5. English proficiency test results
6. Research proposal or writing samples where required

Website

For detailed information and to apply, prospective students should consult USC’s official scholarship and graduate fellowship pages.

• Common Application
• USC Merit Scholarships

• USC Merit Scholarship Guide
• USC Graduate School PhD Fellowships

Frequently Asked Questions

Are international students eligible for USC merit scholarships?

Yes, international undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for USC merit scholarships, including the Trustee, Presidential, and Deans Scholarships.

Do USC merit scholarships cover living expenses?

No, merit scholarships focus primarily on tuition support. Living expenses, housing, books, and travel costs are not included and must be funded separately.

Is need-based financial aid available for international undergraduates at USC?

International undergraduate students are not eligible for USC need-based financial aid but can compete for merit scholarships and departmental awards.

Does USC require SAT or ACT scores for scholarship consideration?

USC has a test-optional policy. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT results, but not submitting scores does not disadvantage scholarship or admission consideration.

Are PhD students at USC fully funded?

Many USC PhD programmes offer multi-year funding packages covering tuition, stipends, and insurance, but funding details vary by department and programme.

What is the process to apply for USC scholarships?

Undergraduate merit scholarships require no separate application beyond the admission application by the scholarship deadline. PhD funding is awarded through departmental applications and offers.

What English proficiency scores does USC require?

Minimum recommended scores include IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 5 overall with at least 4 per section, Cambridge C1 Advanced 185 overall, PTE 68, and Duolingo 130. Competitive applicants often exceed these minimums.

Software Engineer & Scholarship Consultant at Travel Travegisa, specialising in international student opportunities and mobility.

Software Engineer and Scholarship Consultant at Scholarship Roar, focusing on international student mobility, scholarship research, and application guidance.

Reviewed by Muhammad Faizan, PhD Researcher · Last verified June 2024 — ensuring accuracy and up-to-date information for prospective USC applicants.