The University of Southern California Scholarships 2027 support international students pursuing undergraduate and PhD programmes at USC in Los Angeles, United States. International undergraduate students are eligible for USC’s competitive merit scholarships, including the Trustee Scholarship, which covers full tuition, and the Presidential Scholarship, which covers half tuition. USC also offers the Deans Scholarship covering one-quarter of tuition. At the doctoral level, many USC programmes provide multi-year funding through fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships that can include tuition, a stipend, and health insurance. International students are automatically considered for the main undergraduate merit scholarships when they submit their admission application by the appropriate scholarship consideration deadline. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the University of Southern California Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The main funding opportunities covered in this guide are:
- USC Trustee Scholarship
- USC Presidential Scholarship
- USC Deans Scholarship
- USC PhD Funding
International undergraduate students are not eligible for USC need-based financial aid, but they can compete for USC merit scholarships and departmental awards. USC states that no merit scholarship by itself covers the entire cost of attendance because even a full-tuition scholarship does not cover all living expenses.
University of Southern California Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / PhD
- Institution: University of Southern California
- Study Destination: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Courses Offered: Eligible USC undergraduate and doctoral programmes
- Undergraduate Scholarship Period: Up to eight semesters for most four-year programmes
USC merit scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, service, talent, and the overall strength of the application. USC reports that more than 1,000 admitted students in its latest class received merit scholarships worth at least US$10,000 per year.
University of Southern California Scholarships Application Deadline
USC has published the scholarship consideration deadlines for students entering in Fall 2027:
- November 1, 2026: Merit scholarship consideration for most undergraduate majors through Early Action or Early Decision.
- December 1, 2026: Merit scholarship consideration for applicants to Dance, Dramatic Arts, and Music programmes that use the performing-arts Regular Decision route.
- January 10, 2027: Final Regular Decision deadline for most other undergraduate applicants, but applicants submitting at this stage are not part of the main USC Admission Merit Scholarship consideration process.
PhD application periods vary by department and generally fall between December and January. Applicants should check the exact application period for their selected doctoral programme.
University of Southern California Scholarship Coverage
USC Trustee Scholarship
The Trustee Scholarship is one of USC’s most valuable undergraduate merit scholarships.
It provides:
- Full undergraduate tuition
- Funding based on USC’s flat-rate tuition for 12–18 units per semester
- Renewable support for up to eight semesters for most undergraduate programmes
- Up to ten semesters for the five-year Bachelor of Architecture programme
The scholarship is available to international applicants who meet USC’s application requirements. There is no separate need-based financial aid application required for consideration.
The Trustee Scholarship does not normally cover:
- Housing
- Food
- International travel
- Books
- Personal expenses
- The complete USC cost of attendance
For this reason, it is best described as a full-tuition scholarship, rather than a completely fully funded scholarship.
USC Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship provides:
- 50% of undergraduate tuition
- Renewable funding for the normal undergraduate study period
- Tuition support based on USC’s standard full-time tuition rate
International applicants are eligible.
Like the Trustee Scholarship, selection is based on the overall strength of the admission application rather than financial need. USC evaluates academic achievement, leadership, service, talent, and other accomplishments.
USC Deans Scholarship
The Deans Scholarship provides:
- One-quarter of undergraduate tuition
- Renewable support during the eligible undergraduate period
- Automatic scholarship consideration through the admission application
Although it provides less funding than the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships, it remains one of USC’s major undergraduate merit awards.
USC PhD Funding
USC PhD funding varies by academic school and programme. Many doctoral students receive multi-year packages combining:
- Full tuition or tuition remission
- Annual stipend
- Research assistantship
- Teaching assistantship
- Graduate fellowship
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- University fees in some programmes
USC’s Graduate School states that most PhD students receive at least one year of fellowship support as part of a four- or five-year funding package. Fellowships generally include tuition, fees, and a stipend.
Funding arrangements differ between departments.
For example:
- USC Price School PhD students receive four years of support including full tuition, a competitive stipend, and health and dental insurance.
- USC Political Science and International Relations PhD students in good standing receive five years of full funding including tuition remission, stipend, and health and dental insurance.
- USC Marshall PhD students receive a package including full tuition, stipend, individual health and dental insurance, student health fees, and mandatory university fees.
- USC Viterbi doctoral research and teaching assistantships provide a monthly stipend together with tuition, health insurance, and fee support.
Applicants should therefore check the funding guarantee of their individual PhD programme rather than assuming that every USC doctorate provides exactly the same stipend or funding period.
Eligibility Criteria for University of Southern California Scholarships
Undergraduate Merit Scholarships
To be considered for USC merit scholarships, applicants should:
- Apply as first-year undergraduate students
- Submit a complete USC admission application
- Meet the academic requirements of their intended programme
- Demonstrate strong academic achievement
- Show leadership, service, talent, or significant extracurricular achievement
- Meet USC’s English-language requirements
- Complete any portfolio or audition required by their programme
There is no minimum GPA or test score that guarantees a USC Merit Scholarship. USC describes the selection process as highly competitive and based on holistic review.
International students are explicitly eligible for USC Merit Scholarships.
SAT and ACT
USC currently operates a test-optional admission policy. Applicants can decide whether to submit SAT or ACT results, and students applying without scores are not disadvantaged in either admission or merit scholarship consideration.
English-Language Requirements
International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. USC currently does not provide waivers from this requirement.
Recommended minimum scores include:
- IELTS: 7.0
- TOEFL under the revised scoring system: 5 overall with at least 4 in each section
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: 185 overall with at least 169 in each skill
- PTE: 68
- Duolingo English Test: 130
USC notes that competitive applicants often achieve scores above these minimums.
You can also review our guide to scholarships without IELTS.
PhD Funding Eligibility
Applicants normally need:
- A bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent
- Strong academic results
- Appropriate preparation for the selected research field
- Research experience where relevant
- Strong recommendation letters
- A convincing statement of purpose
- English-language proficiency
- Programme-specific requirements
Funding decisions are usually made by individual academic departments together with admission decisions. International students can receive university fellowships and departmental merit scholarships, although they are generally ineligible for US federal financial aid.
How to Apply for University of Southern California Scholarships?
Undergraduate Merit Scholarships
(1) Choose your USC undergraduate programme and check whether it requires additional materials such as a portfolio, résumé, writing sample, or audition.
(2) Complete the Common Application and USC-specific questions.
The application normally includes:
- Personal information
- Academic record
- Activities
- USC supplemental responses
- Intended programme
- High-school transcripts
- Recommendation letter
- Additional programme materials where required
(3) Submit a strong scholarship-level application.
USC does not use a separate Trustee, Presidential, or Deans Scholarship application. Your admission application is used to select candidates for these scholarships.
Focus on demonstrating:
- Academic excellence
- Leadership
- Community service
- Creativity
- Significant extracurricular achievement
- Intellectual curiosity
- Contribution to your school or community
(4) Submit English-language evidence if required.
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of USC’s approved English proficiency examinations.
(5) Upload your international financial documentation.
USC requires international applicants to submit a Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support together with proof that sufficient funds are available for at least the first academic year. Scholarship applicants must still provide this evidence because merit scholarships are not guaranteed.
Acceptable evidence can include:
- Bank statement
- Bank letter
- Government or organisational sponsorship
- Approved education loan
- Investment portfolio
(6) Wait for USC’s scholarship selection.
Applicants meeting the scholarship consideration requirements are automatically reviewed for USC Admission Merit Scholarships. Selected students receive further instructions from USC.
USC PhD Funding
(1) Select a USC PhD programme closely aligned with your academic and research interests.
Review:
- Faculty members
- Research laboratories
- Current projects
- Programme requirements
- Funding arrangements
(2) Identify potential supervisors where appropriate.
Read recent publications before contacting faculty and attach a concise academic CV.
(3) Prepare your graduate application.
Typical documents include:
- Academic transcripts
- Academic CV
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- English-language test result
- Research experience
- Writing sample or research proposal where required
Use our guides on preparing an academic CV, statement of purpose, and scholarship recommendation letter.
(4) Submit your application to the selected USC doctoral programme.
Most PhD funding is awarded through the department, fellowship competition, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship rather than through one separate central USC scholarship application.
(5) Review the funding offer carefully.
Confirm:
- Tuition coverage
- Annual stipend
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Mandatory fees
- Funding duration
- Teaching requirements
- Research assistantship requirements
The individual department’s funding offer is the most reliable source for the exact support you will receive.
Documents Required for University of Southern California Scholarships
Undergraduate Documents
International applicants should prepare:
- Common Application
- USC supplemental responses
- Official high-school transcripts
- Recommendation letter
- English-language test result
- Passport
- Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support
- Bank statement or other acceptable financial evidence
- Predicted IB or A-Level results where applicable
- Portfolio, audition, résumé, or writing sample where required
PhD Documents
Applicants generally need:
- Graduate application
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Master’s degree certificate where applicable
- Academic transcripts
- Academic CV
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- English-language test result where required
- GRE or another test where required
- Research statement or proposal where required
- Writing sample where required
- Publications or research evidence
Applicants can use these ScholarshipRoar guides:
Website
For more information about University of Southern California Scholarships, visit:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does USC offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. All international undergraduate applicants who apply by the appropriate scholarship consideration deadline can compete for USC Merit Scholarships.
Is the USC Trustee Scholarship fully funded?
The Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition, but it does not cover the complete cost of attendance, including housing, food, travel, and personal expenses.
It is therefore a full-tuition scholarship rather than a completely fully funded scholarship.
How much does the USC Presidential Scholarship cover?
The Presidential Scholarship covers half of USC undergraduate tuition.
How much does the USC Deans Scholarship cover?
The Deans Scholarship covers one-quarter of undergraduate tuition.
Do international students receive USC need-based financial aid?
No. USC states that international undergraduate applicants are not eligible for USC need-based financial aid. They can instead compete for merit scholarships and departmental awards.
Do I need a separate application for USC Merit Scholarships?
No. Applicants who submit their USC admission application by the appropriate scholarship consideration deadline are automatically considered for the main USC Admission Merit Scholarships.
Are USC PhD programmes fully funded?
Many USC PhD programmes provide comprehensive multi-year funding, but the exact guarantee differs by department.
For example, USC Price, Political Science and International Relations, and Marshall provide packages including tuition, stipends, and health-related benefits.
Is SAT or ACT required for USC Scholarships?
No. USC is currently test-optional, and students who do not submit SAT or ACT scores are not disadvantaged in merit scholarship selection.
Is IELTS compulsory for USC?
IELTS specifically is not compulsory, but international applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency through a USC-approved examination.
Accepted options include TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge C1 Advanced, PTE, and Duolingo under USC’s current rules.
