“This is a smart step to get attention away from scandals and remedy loss of applicants due to negative publicity.”
That is not why this decision was made.
USC had reached its 6 billion $$ goal quite a while ago and could have afforded to expand the reach of the FA program before now. Simba was correct to say it was a long time goal.
The change to FA awards was in the works for quite a while. But those in charge of FA could not get final approval from Nikias.
The fact that it is finally happening is a direct result of USC having a new President who made the decision to make the change.