Norman Topping Student Aid Fund (NTSAF)

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I have a couple of questions regarding NTSAF. For starters, I’m a prospective student for Fall 09, looking to transfer from PCC. I am a URM (Hispanic male), first-generation college student, have “high need”, and you probably guessed it, live & went to high school in the area immediate to the USC HSC (Lincoln Heights). I have also worked at HSC since 2007.</p>

<p>I’m hoping that some of you here have some experience with this fund as there are so many question marks. Here is the description from the USC website…</p>

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<p>Firstly, what jumped out at me is 1) that I am a seemingly fit candidate; and 2) all of the variables! My questions are simple: what do they mean by varies? How is it that the number of awards also varies? It sounds super competitive, so do I have a realistic shot? Or should I not get my hopes up?</p>

<p>A little about me:</p>

<p>I’m applying as Open in lieu of hopefully entering SPPD, and also hopefully double-majoring/minoring in the subject that I truly love: Philosophy. I am also pre-law. I have been working since it became legal, at age 16. Most of my money goes to school and home expenses as my home is headed by a single mother. I also participate actively in a bicycle collective in LA which strides for community outreach, environmental protection, and the viability of having an alternative mode of transportation.</p>

<p>I am currently working at the USC Department of Ophthalmology as an office worker. I work pretty closely with the USC faculty. Before this I was a student worker (during high school and my first semester at PCC) at the LA Department of Water & Power in the Chief Administrative Office.</p>

<p>I would be able to get the two required recommendations. </p>

<p>My downfall:</p>

<p>I worked full time for about 7 months in the year of 2007, and had to drop a semester in order to work. As a result of what I’m guessing was a fluke, I got 3 W’s and one F that semester. One of the classes didn’t withdraw. I re-took it but USC does not honor academic renewal. As a result, what would be a 3.74 GPA drops to a 3.51 GPA.</p>

<p>Can anyone share any insight? I’m extremely excited about this scholarship and a bit anxious too. :)</p>

2

<p>Edit: My GPA gets dragged down to a sad 3.46 GPA. :(</p>

3

<p>I don’t know this scholarship, but do quite a bit of grant funding so I think I can shed a bit of light on the “varies” part. First off, they don’t know their applicant pool and want to keep the option open on distributing funds in the most needed directions. Also, the money available may vary year to year so an exact number is usually not available at the time the scholarship is announced (or they don’t want to rewrite their criteria every year so they leave it vague).</p>

<p>It only takes your time and effort to apply. Go for it!</p>

4

<p>Great, thanks very much for clearing that up. I will definitely be applying. :D</p>

<p>Anyone else out there with more familiarity with this specific fund?</p>

5

<p>bump! Where is everyone?</p>

6

<p>I dont know about this one either, but if your family has a low income you probably won’t even have to worry about this one. The school usually gives out a GENEROUS grant. My grant exceeded my friend’s trustee (full ride) scholarship. Of course I’m still indebt sighhh.</p>

7

<p>How did you still end up in debt? If that’s the case then it necessarily follows that I SHOULD be worried about this, right? haha</p>