That’s probably ask for your acceptance of the FA.
Finally received FA package early this morning.
Unbelievable horrible, $30,000 per year less than another private school offered.
Now, it appears we will have an easy decision between the two.
@CADREAMIN @WWWard I was under the impression that students can live on campus for all 4 years of their undergrad education. Is it not generally the case? What is the main reason for living off-campus? housing not available on-campus or off-campus is better? Could you please provide some more information about this.
Re Gateway pricing. Our rate was $1100-ish a few years back, then we added parking which took it to $1200-ish. If you don’t get the promos, a current renter told me they are paying $1300 for the upcoming year, but $1400 with parking. Parking can be $75, $100 up to $150/month depending if one gets the promo rate. If they offer a promo rate and tell you it is good for a certain amount of time, it can mean that, it will go up if you don’t sign in that window.
Housing is only guaranteed for freshman and sophomore year, not sure how many stay on campus beyond that, but some do. It’s by lottery so not guaranteed. Many students don’t want to be in a dorm environment too long. Way too restrictive in many ways. A freshman is way different than a junior or senior in maturity - they are really adults at that point and dorms aren’t the preferred lifestyle for them.
@syrstl Do you mind if I ask if that amount included loans? We’re coming right up to the wire and they keep asking for more docs so we’re still anxiously waiting. Reading everyone’s disappointing offers has us worried.
USC was $18,000 more than Notre Dame for my daughter and $8500 more than the USC Net Price Calculator results. That is even with receiving a 1/2 tuition scholarship for being a National Merit Finalist. The offer still included a small Subsidized Federal Loan. I hope you have better luck with USC than we did!
Can someone explain Gateway? Is it owned by the university? Is it a lottery?
Gateway is a privately owned apartment complex right across the street from campus (as close to being on campus as one can). It’s a big complex, some choose it if they don’t have a group to live with in an independent house or don’t want the hassle of coordinating rents between people in a house, or they want the ease of an apartment over a house (don’t have to deal with utilities, etc), all kinds of reasons… Gateway rents by the bed so you are not on hook for the rent if room mate bails. Most outside houses rent as a single lease so there is some coordination needed between people.
Just got named a Norman Topping Scholar! Got $4.5k a semester and it’s going to help me with my dorming plans. So excited ?
@syrstl Do you mind if I ask if that amount included loans? We’re coming right up to the wire and they keep asking for more docs so we’re still anxiously waiting. Reading everyone’s disappointing offers has us worried.
@CarBarlos Congratulations! My D applied but did not receive it.
Congratulations, @CarBarlos! That’s going to make a big difference to live on campus! Have you committed yet or still deciding?
USC was $30,000 more than the other private school for my daughter and $15,000 more than the USC Net Price Calculator results. The offer still included $5500 Federal Loan. I hope you have better luck with USC than we did!
@CADREAMIN and @WWWard Just wondering if you (or anyone) knows what USC’s policy is on deferring acceptance for a year? I am sure this is top of mind for many people in light of current events. As the parent of an architecture major, I especially cannot imagine participating in freshman design studio on-line.
From what people are saying, it seems that USC is not offering generous scholarships to those in need. Could they be using this as a cost saving measure to reduce the enormous financial hit COVID is causing?
@Justinhope By scholarship do you mean merit scholarships or just straight FA? 
@VivienL It seems that they are already committed to giving the merit ones. And they may have some leeway over the FA ones. Overall, it sounds like most people are disappointed with their FA packages.
Or the people who are not disappointed aren’t posting about it.
Thank you so much @JazzyG @CollegeOdyssey2001
@CollegeOdyssey2001 I’m actually fortunate to have gotten a full-ride turion wise, since I’ve seen so many people getting minimal aid in spite of making $80k or less, even though I see the reasoning behind it.
I changed my financial aid package from living to family to living on school housing. Once it updates, I’m hoping that I get a full-ride dorming wise as well. If not, then I’ll just change it back to family living and I’ll leave it like that.
Either way, I’m so close to committing. I just need to check the change of my financial aid package. Unless I can already commit and change my financial aid later?
@CarBarlos At this point you might as well square your FA first, then commit. Sounds like it is all gonna work out, congrats -happy you can live in the dorm and have the college experience!
@Justinhope Agree with @lkg4answers - most people that get the aid they need don’t come on and post about it. Statistically CC is very irrelevant, but we do hear more about things not working out, that is just the way of the internet. People do come to CC to get advice or help, but FA is not something others can help too much with. It is what it is. It is hard to know how each school does their formulas and privates can do what they want - when the CSS is in play, they are looking at a whole lot more things than schools that don’t use CSS profile. To your question, I don’t think there will be that much adjusting as you read about in the papers. More than half at USC are full pay and while things seem in disarray, and it certainly is for a a lot of people out there - there are likely plenty of full pay that aren’t going to have issues, even under the current circumstances. And those that need aid will get it as per the usual formulas at USC, which work well for some and not for others.
I’m just hoping they are able to get all off as planned, things seem to be going positive in that direction (for now).