<p>Update- I asked a SVP at USC, who I have a relationship with, if the need for FA factors IN ANY WAY into Merit [Trustee, Presidential] scholarship decisions. He said NO. Final Merit scholarship decisions at USC are made at the School level, after candidates have been interviewed, and financial need is “not a consideration”. There maybe “stronger” students in one school, say Vertibi, that didn’t receive the big scholarship, compared to the Trustees Scholar in the school of Cinematic Arts, but that is because the scholarships are “divvied up” between the various schools at USC. I hope that settles it.</p>