<p>Does anyone know of any ways to offset the cost of attending USC? I will get the 1/2 tuition NMF scholarship, but $35,000 a year is still a lot, and unfortunately I’m middle class and won’t receive any need based aid. Does USC offer any additional scholarships to students once they enroll?</p>
<p>hasnoidea,
You have until March 2nd to submit financial aid forms. You may qualify. Check out the financial aid thread by alamemom. About 60% of USC students receive financial aid. </p>
<pre><code> Have you applied for local scholarships? These can be given by civic, religious, ethnic, corporations, clubs or other sources. As a NMScholar you might be able to receive one or more of these IF you apply. Yes, it takes time and effort.
I interviewed a Georgia student for another purpose. She was proactive and had been awarded four local scholarships before she ever arrived at SC. She had fine scores, but was not a NMScholar.
There are many scholarships for continuting students. If you have an outstanding academic record, you may apply for one of these in the spring of your freshmen year. These are competitive.
Perhaps alamemom can add her suggestions to this thread.
</code></pre>
<p>If you qualify, you can get scholarships from USC.
For example, if you are within top 15% of the applicants, you can get the Dean Scholarship, which will cover 25% of the tuition fee.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, you can’t have the dean’s scholarship on top of the half tuition NSF scholarship.</p>
<p>
For a student who does not qualify for need-based aid:</p>
<p>-Full-time jobs each summer
-Part-time jobs during the school year
-Outside scholarships
-Continuing student scholarships (Maintain a high GPA and participate in research to qualify)
-Buy used books from discount sources
-Choose the cheapest housing available - after freshman year live off-campus in a triple room for a much lower cost.
-Look into becoming an RA to receive free on-campus housing.
-Maintain a high GPA (3.75+) and have a major/minor combo to qualify for the academic achievement award allowing you to take up to 20 units per semester, combine that with AP credit from high school to graduate a year early.
-Use your presidential scholarship exeptional funding to get 1/2 tuition credit for up to 8 extra units if you do not qualify for the academic achievement award.
-Obtain pre-approval each year for summer courses at your community college to graduate a year early.
-Attend the less-expensive school to which you have also been accepted</p>
<p>That is all I can think of for now.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If you can get that amount down at least a little WITH support from your family and yourself, you should be able to make this work.</p>
<p>I received no financial support from my family and am going on myself and what USC gave me.</p>
<p>This is how I was able to do it: (Freshman year)
-Full-time job summer before coming to USC $$$
-Part-time job during the school year (20 hours a week, on-campus you can find one)
-Living OFF-CAMPUS in USC Housing.****
-Smallest Meal Plan possible!! By NOT living in a dorm, I was able to save around $2500-3000 a semester because my rent was cheaper, and my meal plan was only a fixed number of meals a semester. I cooked my own food in my apartment to save money.
-Used books online. Amazon and half.com</p>
<p>****Note, some people NEED the dorm experience as a freshman and can’t function without it. They wouldnt be able to survive in an off-campus apartment with an upperclassman vibe to it. But it’s what I had to do to come here. And honestly, I like hanging out in the dorms with my friends, but I would not wanna live there. That’s just me personally.</p>
<p>As for alamemom’s suggestion of a Triple, I work for USC Housing and would not recommend it unless you are sure of the other 2 people you wanna room with and you like the idea. There are even cheaper options for just having a standard apartment, but you will have to give up some quality. Good luck!</p>
<p>If you have any questions, PM me. I don’t get on here often but thought I’d help. Paying for USC is very stressful. But, it’s worth it !</p>
<p>^ Great job, LMU! It is great to hear from someone who - through determination and hard work - is able to do it. And I agree that a triple would not be ideal - FAR from it - but it is a real money-saver.</p>
<p>I am in the same boat as you hasnoidea.</p>
<p>I do not know if it is MANDATORY for all freshman to dorm. But if it is not, I will live at home (20 min away from USC). I think that will be the best option for NMF’s to save money.</p>
<p>Do any of you know if dorming is mandatory?</p>
<p>I do recall at Explore them saying that freshmen were required to dorm and have a meal plan, except they DID mention that those who lived close enough to commute could request an exemption - so be sure to make that request. I don’t know where to direct you to ask, but when they cover it at your Explore session be sure to raise you hand and ask who to contact.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick response alamemom, I will definitely ask that question.</p>
<p>Do you think it is a big difference to have dorming experience? Cost is a consideration (13k). Is it worth it to have a year of dorm?</p>
<p>Whether or not it is worth it varies depending on the individual and the family’s finances - that amount could be an inconvenience, a hardship, or an impossibility depending on the family’s circumstance.</p>
<p>Just remember that the central goal of this whole application process isn’t a year of dorm living, it is a college degree. So if there some compromises you have to make to achieve that goal, they are definitely worth it. Also remember that many of the kids who move away from home for college experience sadness and doubt December to February of their freshman year, but if you are commuting from home you might sail right through that period (or you might also experience it - just remember that it will pass).</p>
<p>I suggest you make your $40 housing deposit so if you do end up living on-campus you will get the housing of your choice. Also check into how you would go about requesting an exemption to live at home, but don’t yet make that request. Then when you get your financial aid and the news about the outside scholarships you are up for 
, you can look at all the details and see if it will work.</p>
<p>Best of luck with the Bacc/MD interview Athene!</p>
<p>Cross-referencing: Better info here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1092634-mandatory-dorming.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1092634-mandatory-dorming.html</a> from cc411 about whether freshmen must live on campus (no, they are not required to!).</p>
<p>You’re lucky that you have that option, Athene! Unfortunately, I live on the east coast, so room and board will be a cost for me regardless. Congrats on the Bacc/MD interview though! I got denied, but I’m okay with it because I’m not 100% sure about what I want to do anyway, so it should go to more decided applicants.</p>
<p>Thank you alamemom and hasnoidea. Yes, I am hoping for the Bacc MD (I am sure all of the interviewees are too though haha).</p>
<p>I hope that you find a way hasnoidea. I agree with you that big scholarships are no walk in the park to earn!</p>