Can we see anywhere number of degree awarded by major?
Is anyone else waiting for the Presidential Scholarship to appear in the portal? My student reported USC as their NMF first choice on April 1st.
It took about three weeks for it to appear in my S24’s case.
Is anyone’s kid deciding between USC and another school with good merit?
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yes. we are also waiting to see the scholarship show up.
We got our aid package today, and we are spring admit. The package says Spring 2025, and the FA dept says that there is no guarantee she gets it again next year. Every year the aid amount varies based on the fafsa. I did not know colleges did that, do the fall admits also have this? No guarantee of how much the aid will be every year?
Yes same for all. Your financial situation is reviewed every year. Scholarships (merit aid) are set all four years (except for rare issues with student performance) but federal financial aid is evaluated as a family’s financial status can obviously change year to year.
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Question. We received our son’s aid package this week. He’s considering a spring admit for SCA. However, it appears he wasn’t awarded any merit, just “gift” aid. I know usually merit aid is doled out for ED, but he wasn’t allowed to apply ED for SCA. Any ideas as to where things might stand? Is merit aid tougher for RD kids?
We’re coming to campus tomorrow for admitted student day so we’ll certainly inquire. But I have to say, I was shocked at how low the offer from USC was when stacked with others he’s received from top film programs.
My son at NYU had a price locked in for 4 years. I was beginning to wonder if that was becaude she was spring admit.
And did they tell you the gift money changes every year?
Need based aid changes as your need changes. By that, I mean, if your income goes up or down, you will receive more or less need based aid.
Merit aid is awarded based on a student’s application. Merit aid does not fluctuate when income fluctuates. You could win the lottery and still receive the same merit aid.
Was your son awarded merit aid at NYU?
College Confidential started a new forum called “Comparing College Offers.” You might consider posting about his different packages there.
They did not say, nor did they specify if “gift” aid is actually “financial” aid. I saw no mention of “merit” aid which were all over my son’s other offers. This might be three strikes for USC, TBH. And I get it, a thousand other kids would love a spot but he’s got so many other great opportunities I’m kind of over it.
They just discontinued the Academic Achievement Award from what I understand…
They added it back for some.
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The students went into uproar mode and got it reinstated.
Bravo students, bravo!
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Actually it says under Gift Aid that is (school, state and Federal), so it’s all up to school to decide what portion of it they consider as “school” gift. We called FAST and they were very vague about it. Obviously the Federal part depends on FAFSA, but no one could really explain what school gift could be over the next 4 years.
Just wanted to circle back and share our experiences with Explore USC (the smaller weekday admitted student events). We LOVED it! It was more of an event than we had imagined based on how USC described it originally. There were 170 students plus their parent/guest, so a nice size but not overwhelming. It was a perfect size of maybe 400 people for all the main (university) sessions, like the welcome, etc. Got to see the marching band, and I think they could have passed around an iPad and converted a lot of undecided students in that moment because the school spirit was truly exciting.
The Marshall school breakout session was fantastic with student presentations and then a cool activity.
Lunch - my daughter was assigned to some Marshall students while the parents were at a gorgeous catered lunch with faculty and a keynote speaker. Several sessions after lunch. It was a long, full day of amazing events. It ended with us going to the bookstore and loading up on merch. I left having completely drunk the USC Koolaid (in the best way). I can’t wait to be a Trojan mom!
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it was need based, that he got and it was locked in for 4 years.
In order to receive merit at USC, students must apply EA. That said, this requirement does not apply to students who are applying to schools that require an audition or portfolio including SCA. There are SCA specific scholarships but they require a separate application. https://cinema.usc.edu/scholarships/docs/SCA_Scholarships_FinancialAid_2023.pdf
AAA has been fully reinstated for all students who meet the GPA requirement.
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