University of southern california national merit scholarship

Scholarship Awarding University: 

University of Southern California

Type of degree: 

Bachelor’s

Scholarship Deadline: 

Applications for this scholarship will close on the 1st of December, 2022

Scholarship Summary: 

USC awards merit scholarships to incoming domestic and international freshmen based on academic excellence, leadership, service and talent.
Scholarship Applicant Criteria: 
There are no set criteria for consideration but it's important to note that academic qualifications, candidates’ talent, perseverance, innovation, involvement and leadership are all considered.

Value of Scholarship: 

The USC Merit scholarships include the full-tuition, four-year Trustee scholarships, the half-tuition Presidential Scholarship and the one-quarter tuition Deans Scholarship. These merit scholarships range in value from a few thousand dollars up to full tuition.

Scholarship Application Guide: 

All students who submit a complete application will be automatically considered for a scholarship. Find more details on the USC application process.

Scholarship Website: 

Yup it still exists, I’m actually going to USC next year because of this scholarship! You do have to make it from semifinalist to finalist, but that should be a problem for most people. But keep in mind, this is a 50% tuition scholarship. There is still housing, food, transportation, and many more fees. Either way, it’s a great scholarship and I suggest anyone that qualifies as a NMSF apply to usc at the very least.

Finding individual college merit scholarship information can take a lot of time. Instead, we’ve gathered the statistics you need to know about USC’s merit scholarships, at a quick glance.

Before diving in, make sure to review The Ultimate Guide to Merit Scholarships.

USC’s Merit Scholarships Statistics

  • Percentage of students with no financial need: 62%
  • Percentage of students with no financial need who were awarded merit scholarships: 41%
  • Average dollar amount of non-need based merit scholarships: $19,267

USC’s Merit Scholarships

National Merit Finalist Presidential

  • Summary: The National Merit Finalist Presidential Scholarship provides support first year students who have been designated National Merit Finalists and name USC as their first choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
  • Qualifications: Applicants will be selected based on PSAT performance.
  • How many are available: Varies
  • Deadline: Applicants must submit USC as their first choice to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 31st.
  • Award amount: Up to half tuition (approx. $28,628)

USC Associates

  • Summary: The USC Associates Scholarship is awarded to students who achieve at the highest level with the most demanding curriculum.
  • Qualifications: All applicants are considered based on SAT or ACT, GPA, leadership in school, and community service.
  • How many are available: Approx. 10 awards
  • Deadline: Submit Common Application and USC Supplement with required materials by December 1.
  • Award amount: $18,000

Asian Pacific Alumni Association

  • Summary: The Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarship is awarded to those with active involvement in the Asian Pacific American community.
  • Qualifications: Candidates should have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scaled), demonstrate active involvement in the Asian Pacific American community, and be enrolled full-time at USC. Awarded students are required to complete 15 community service hours with APAA.
  • How many are available: Varies
  • Deadline: March
  • Award amount: varies  

Black Alumni Association

  • Summary: The Black Alumni Association Scholarship is awarded to competitive candidates that have demonstrated strong leadership or community service within the Black Community.
  • Qualifications: Selection generally prioritizes both merit and financial need. Awarded students are required to complete community service hours.
  • How many are available: Approx. 130 awards
  • Deadline: March
  • Award amount: $1,000-$10,000

Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation

  • Summary: The Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation is for students that attend school in Hong Kong.
  • Qualifications: All applicants must attend school in Hong Kong. Additionally, applicants must show academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
  • How many are available: 1 award
  • Deadline: Submit Common Application and USC Supplement with required materials by December 1.
  • Award amount: Full tuition (approx. $59,260)

Lambda LGBT Alumni Association

  • Summary: The Lambda LGBT Alumni Association Scholarship is awarded to students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. 
  • Qualifications: All applicants must show academic achievement, personal merit, and contribution to the LGBT community.
  • How many are available: Approx. 12 awards
  • Deadline: February
  • Award amount: $2,000-$12,000

Latino Alumni Association

  • Summary: The Latino Alumni Association Scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, and active involvement in the Latino community. 
  • Qualifications: All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Additionally, they must show leadership and active involvement in the Latino community. Awarded students are required to complete professional development activities throughout the year.
  • How many are available: Approx. 200 awards
  • Deadline: March
  • Award amount: $2,000-$5,000

To learn more about USC’s Merit Scholarship opportunities, visit here. 

Want to learn more about USC?

USC’s Common Data Set

Get Access to Merit Scholarship Information From ALL Schools In One Place

Want to easily research merit scholarships for all schools without having to google each college’s common data set?

Check out our College Insights tool An easy to use resource that combines government college data (IPEDS) with common data set information.

In one resource you’ll be able to filter, sort, and compare colleges by merit scholarships as well as other variables such as:

  • Location
  • School Size
  • % Male vs Female
  • 4 Year Graduation Rate
  • % of Returning Freshmen
  • Average and 75th Percentile Test Scores
  • Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision Admit Rates
  • Availability of Honors or Co-op Programs
  • Acceptance of AP Credits
  • Application, Financial Aid, and Housing Deposit Deadlines
  • And so much more!

Having this information all in one place saves you time otherwise spent searching individual college websites. It also gives you the ability to filter, sort, and compare ANY criteria or combination of criteria that’s important to your family.

You can quickly and easily use the tool to find colleges where your student is in the top 25th percentile of applicants and more likely to receive merit scholarships.

Use College Insights to quickly search and find schools where your student is likely to be accepted and receive need based aid and/or merit scholarships.

Merit scholarship information for other schools:

 Duke Rutgers Vanderbilt Carnegie Mellon NYU Georgia Tech Northeastern Northwestern Tulane University of Michigan Ohio State University Boston University University of Alabama Case Western Reserve Boston College Purdue University Penn State Rice University University of Virginia UAH Notre Dame

Does USC give National Merit Scholarship?

After student selects USC as their first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Note: By submitting your application for admission by the December 1 deadline, you will be automatically considered for the scholarships highlighted in pink below.

How much does USC give for National Merit Scholarship?

University of Southern California: If USC is your first-choice college and you are a National Merit Finalist then you are eligible for a scholarship equal to half tuition (approximately $29,000).

Does USC Care About National Merit?

If you are National Merit Finalist who has been admitted to USC and you designate USC as your first choice by the May 31 deadline, you will receive USC's half-tuition Presidential Scholarship. Additionally, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation offers scholarships that are sponsored by colleges or corporations.

How do you get USC National Merit Scholarship?

Administered through the Office of Admission, USC merit scholarships require students to apply for admission to the university by the December deadline. All students who submit the Common Application and USC Writing Supplement will be automatically considered for a scholarship.