<p>Are your outside scholarships renewable? If not, it may be more costly than your free ride at UCLA for future years. Be sure to clarify so you know exactly how much you are likely to have to pay for years 2, 3 and 4 in loans and other items at USC. Get as much as you can in writing, with the name & job title of the person you are speaking with so there is no misunderstanding so you can make informed choices and not have disappointment of having crushing unexpected costs for years 2, 3 and 4 of your college education.</p>
<p>Thank you for the wise insight HImom, I have planned it all out and I think I’ll be fine. Yes, my outside scholarships are renewable.
Horatio Alger Scholarship
1st year: $4,000
2nd year: $4,000
3rd year: $4,000
4th year: $8,000</p>
<p>Elks Lodge National Scholarship
1st year: $2,000
2nd year: $2,000
3rd year: $2,000
4th year: $2,000</p>
<p>I also have a one time scholarship worth $4,200 but I can spread that amount out in accordance to how much I would need in a given year.</p>
<p>Great! Some years/courses have lab fees that can really run into a LOT of money, so I’m sure that can be used up quite easily. I know my S in engineering and D in cinema paid STEEP fees each term.</p>
<p>Congrats–you’ve done very well. Get someone at the USC FAid office to sign that their understanding of how your outside scholarships will be applied all 4 years meshes with their understanding NOW, so that you have something to point to if you get different answers in the future. Get their name, position and contact info as well, plus their supervisor. You don’t want to have to fight this battle again and again. You are in the best negotiating position NOW.</p>