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University of Southern California

University of Southern California

University of Southern California Trustee Scholarship

Check providerFull TuitionMerit-BasedBachelor's

About the Scholarship

The Trustee Scholarship is the largest award USC gives through its Office of Admission, paying full tuition for four years. Around 100 go out each year, selected by USC faculty and staff from a national pool.

USC says plainly that every international applicant who applies by the deadline is eligible for its merit scholarships, and that these awards carry no minimum GPA or test-score bar. Selection looks at the strength of your curriculum, your academic record and evidence of talent, perseverance, innovation, involvement and leadership.

The effort is low, because there is no separate form. The catch is the deadline: apply by 1 November, since a later application removes you from scholarship consideration entirely. It is also tuition only, so you still need to fund housing, food and fees, and USC asks international applicants to document that money at the point of application.

What It Covers

  • Tuition

Full flat-rate tuition, which covers 12 to 18 units a semester, for eight semesters (ten for the five-year Bachelor of Architecture). Housing, food, fees and other living costs stay with the student, and USC states that no merit scholarship covers the full cost of attendance.

Eligibility

All international applicants who apply by the appropriate deadline are eligible for USC Merit Scholarships, and there are no minimum eligibility requirements. Awards are mutually exclusive, so a student who qualifies for more than one receives the largest. Renewal runs for up to eight semesters and needs full-time enrolment, 30 units each academic year, good academic standing and clean conduct.

Eligible Countries

All countries

How to Apply

No separate application. Submit the Common Application by the 1 November Early Action or Early Decision deadline (performing arts applicants apply Regular Decision by 1 December) and you are considered automatically. Candidates who move forward in the scholarship process are contacted in mid-February about next steps, which include an interview, and awards are confirmed with the admission decision in the spring.

Application Routes and Dates

Early Action or Early Decision

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Recurring deadline: Nov 1 (check provider for current cycle)

For majors eligible for early admission and merit consideration.

Timing source · Checked 2026-09-13

Performing arts Regular Decision

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Recurring deadline: Dec 1 (check provider for current cycle)

For performing arts applicants whose required audition or portfolio excludes early admission.

Timing source · Checked 2026-09-13