The starting point
A private research university that awards merit through competitive holistic review with no published stat cutoffs, offering the Trustee Scholarship (full tuition, interview required), Presidential (half tuition), and Deans (quarter tuition), plus a National Merit Finalist award recently reduced from half tuition to $20,000 per year starting with the Class of 2029.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 5 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
National Merit Finalist Scholarship
$20,000 per year (Class of 2029 onward). Previously covered half tuition (~$34,952/year), a 42% reduction from the historical amount. · Published coverage or package
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: Must be admitted to USC, named a National Merit Finalist by NMSC, and list USC as first-choice institution by May 31.
Renewal: Same renewal conditions as other USC merit scholarships.
Other terms: This is the one USC scholarship that is effectively automatic on a qualifying criterion (NMF status). The reduction from half tuition to $20,000/year is a significant change that many families relying on older information will miss.
https://admission.usc.edu/cost-and-financial-aid/scholarships/
Trustee Scholarship
Full tuition for eight semesters (10 for five-year Bachelor of Architecture). At 2026-2027 tuition of $75,384, approximately $75,384 per year. · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Competitive. Approximately 1,000 students invited to interview from 40,000+ applicants meeting the scholarship deadline. Interviews in late February/early March. Selected based on academic excellence, leadership, service, and talent. Merit scholarship priority deadline is November 1 for Early Decision and Early Action applicants in most majors; December 1 for Performing Arts majors via Regular Decision; final RD deadline is January 10. No published GPA/SAT/ACT cutoffs.
Renewal: Renewable for up to 8 semesters (10 for B.Arch). Requires: (1) maintain high academic standing, no academic disqualification; (2) complete at least 30 units per academic year (scholarship probation for max two semesters if under 30 units); (3) uphold USC conduct and academic integrity standards. Loss of academic standing permanently ends the scholarship, even upon readmission.
Other terms: Based on flat-rate tuition (12-18 units per semester). USC merit scholarships are mutually exclusive: if awarded more than one, the student receives only the highest-value scholarship.
https://admission.usc.edu/scholarship-guide/
Presidential Scholarship
Half tuition for eight semesters (10 for B.Arch). At 2026-2027 tuition, approximately $37,692 per year. · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Same competitive interview process as Trustee. Approximately 1,000 students invited to interview for both Trustee and Presidential combined.
Renewal: Same renewal conditions as Trustee: academic standing, 30 units per year, conduct standards.
https://admission.usc.edu/scholarship-guide/
