My oldest daughter got into USC EA last year, but didn’t receive any Honors notification or aid until March. Then she was offered Honors, in state tuition and other merit aid. I’m guessing that someone else had turned it down and she was next in line. Unfortunately she had already committed to VT for engineering and had made up her mind. Now my youngest was just accepted into Honors and the aid said a value of “at least” $43K over 4 years. Our plan is to wait and see what comes in the Spring before committing anywhere this time. Things can change by then.
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Where do you see the honors notification? My OOS D was admitted with the “at least” $96K but she hasn’t seen anything about honors. This makes a big difference as she is a nursing major so if she is in honors it is direct admit, versus pre-nursing if she isn’t in honors.
I’m new to this thread, so forgive me if this has already been covered. accepted OOS for college of arts and sciences. was wondering if there’s any hope for scholarship money if an amount wasn’t named in the acceptance letter??
It was a separate notification received right before Christmas. The letter didn’t give any additional scholarship money beyond the “at $96k” in the original letter.
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Yes, I asked similar upthread and heard from others that it often comes in March. Think I also saw that many of the folks already offered were intended biz majors. My OOS daughter is also arts and sciences, so hoping we hear something in March.
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This is what my son’s AO said:
Thank you for your interest in the University of South Carolina and congratulations on your admission! General university scholarship offers will be issued by mid-March. Scholarship recipients will receive an email notification when their award offers are posted online. All students who complete the application for admission by December 1 (and materials received by stated credentials deadlines) will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships.
We were able to notify a handful of the most academically competitive applicants that they will receive a scholarship. We will continue to review the applicant pool and make all official offers in March. Not receiving notification now is not an indication of future merit award status. I hope this information helps!
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Dos anybody know how generous USC has been in the past with scholarships? I always see lots of “at least”s but never really get a true opinion. Thanks!
Have any EA-acceptances to communications? I see a lot of business and nursing
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Same as my DS (different major). He received admittance with “at least $96k” - but nothing with the early round of Honors. Hoping not being in the first round doesn’t mean he won’t be getting in at all (to Honors).
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Does Top Scholar interview automatically mean TS scholarship consideration/admittance? Because I’ve heard interviews is only to determine the amount, or does it also determine if you GET IN the program?
We are OOS. In addition to in-state tuition, she also received $4k/year in scholarship (one of the highest amounts given other than Top Scholars). It ranges from $2-$8K/year (but very limited amount of these scholarships). Hope this helps.
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If your child gets an interview, they will likely get something in the way of scholarship, but don’t believe interview automatically means they are named Top Scholars given there’s only about a dozen per year with that designation.
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Honors has gotten insanely competitive. Students I know who got the $43 a year did not end up getting Honors.
I would say that’s a no, Honors is extremely competitive.
From the website (OOS):
The Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards are the most prestigious awards offered by the university to nonresident students. Forty-five students with strong academic records and leadership qualities are offered a Top Scholar award each year. Five will be named Stamps Scholars, 20 will be named McNair Scholars, and up to 20 will be named Horseshoe Scholars. Candidates for these awards will be invited to participate in a mandatory interview and an in-person Top Scholar Weekend. Last year, nonresident Top Scholars had an average SAT score of 1550 (ACT score of 35) and an average high school GPA of 4.8 and were in the top 1% of their high school class, on average. Recipients qualify for the in-state tuition rate.
Seems like there are up to 45 Top Scholar awards. Based on what i have read, my understanding is 45 kids are invited to the Top Scholars weekend. The interviews determine which scholarship you are awarded.
Hi, thanks for the additional information. I took my info from here and as you can see, they are not all equal in terms of awards, though all are generous : Top Scholar Awards - South Carolina Honors College | University of South Carolina
When I think Top Scholars, I think the most attractive offers which are essentially free ride (tuition, room and board) and stipend for research. We are OOS so the South Carolina specific awards didn’t apply. Good luck! Mine is a freshman and loves her HC experience so far.
Mine (OOS) was accepted to the Honors with the “at least 96k” language, so hopefully that gives him at least a chance of being considered for the Top Scholar awards. It’s a long shot with so many qualified candidates but one can hope! Even with just the in-state tuition, USC is still cheaper than our in-state flagship university (MA) by a decent amount.
Glad to hear your D likes the HC. That is the big draw for my son.
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We are in NJ and I just looked back at her info from last year. Accepted to USC on December 15th with the $96K, offered Honors college on Dec 21st and her scholarship award letter is dated April 8th (if I recall correctly, she received a scholarship in March that we appealed as she had some very generous offers elsewhere, so we got a bit more on April 8th). She was not offered Top Scholars which was a little surprising given they kept emailing her to apply for BARSC (combined BS/MD program) which is HIGHLY competitive, but she opted not to do that as she’s a bit on the fence about being a physician.
I would suggest that your son strongly consider living in the Honors Residence - she has met great friends there, has a really social hall where the kids hang out together and it’s very much eased our concern with having her so far from home, not knowing a soul when she started. Having a dining hall and a coffee shop onsite and nice accomodations are pluses as well. Good luck!
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With national merit finalist , another 6k is added , bring it to 2.5k total cost per year.
What did the parent(s) do during the weekend? Just curious if you all were invited to any of the events.