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Scholarship applications are one of the most effective ways to cover tuition costs. They provide funds for financial aid that you do not have to repay. These scholarships can help you achieve your college goals. The University of Southern California’s USC Topping Scholarship is one of many programs that offer free money for a variety of reasons. Continue reading to find out what you might benefit from the scholarship.
About the USC Topping Scholarship
The Norman Topping Student Aid Fund (NTSAF) at the University of Southern California provides the USC Topping Scholarship (USC). The program’s goal is to help prospective students with significant financial need who display a high level of community involvement in their pursuit of a higher education at USC.
In the scholarship selection procedure, first-generation college students and applicants from the local area are given priority. However, the scholarship is not limited to these groups. The USC Topping Scholarship is renewable throughout the duration of a student’s academic pursuits at USC. The maximum number of semesters a recipient is eligible for a scholarship is determined by their class status and program of study.
The University of Southern California, which was founded in 1880, is one of the best private universities in Los Angeles. It is ranked #112 in the QS Global World Rankings 2022. USC is well-known for its prestigious film school and top-ranked business programs. Moreover, it is also more subtly regarded for providing students with a rare combination of excellent academics and a vibrant social life.
While tuition is expensive, USC recognizes and rewards students from low-income families who work hard and perform academically by awarding various prestigious scholarships, including the USC Topping Scholarship.
Program Benefits
The USC Topping Scholarship encourages and supports students’ academic success as well as their community service activities. The program’s ultimate purpose is to help all participants establish a sense of belonging at the university.
Essentially, the award helps Topping Scholars advance in their chosen field of study by providing financial support. Their higher education experience will be enhanced by the supported possibilities. Conference travel money, study abroad airfare, and honor society membership costs are examples of such chances.
The USC Topping Scholarship also provides mentorship to assist Topping Scholars to reach their full potential, regardless of social or financial restraints. The mentor program connects existing scholars with a mentor who will provide support and direction on a personal, educational, and professional level.
Throughout the program, Topping Scholars are entitled to academic, personal, and financial counseling, as well as personal referrals to professional counseling, academic advising, financial aid counselors, and other university agencies.
The USC Topping Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Prospective candidates must apply for fall semester admission to USC as a full-time, on-campus freshman, transfer, or graduate student to be considered for the award. New spring and summer semester admissions, on the other hand, are eligible to apply for the USC Topping Scholarship.
Applicants must also have a significant financial need, with an estimated family contribution of less than $20,000. They must also apply for financial aid through the FAFSA or the Dream Act. Finally, they must be able to exhibit a strong sense of community and contribute to the benefit of the community through volunteer work or other forms of service.
The USC Topping Scholarship Application
The USC Topping Scholarship application consists of an online application, one letter of recommendation, and a series of autobiography questions. Your autobiography section should include descriptions and explanations of your experiences in relation to the scholarship’s selection criteria (financial need, community awareness, first-generation college student status, volunteer efforts, and extraordinary circumstances).
Address these topics in detail, with 500 words max each:
- A summary of your personal background and circumstances.
- Description of your community awareness and your commitment to community involvement.
- Description of your current financial situation and how it will affect your educational experience at USC.
Then, identify who will write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. When completing the application, you will be required to submit the contact information (name, title, organization, email, and phone number) for your recommender. Mark this step as “complete.” Then, an email will immediately be sent to your recommender, giving them the opportunity to write a letter of support for you. Next, you will be notified via e-mail after the recommender uploads his or her letter of recommendation.
Finally, save and update your scholarship application. Once you submit the application with your electronic signature, it is final and you will not be able to make any other changes.
Closing Date
All components of the application must be submitted online by March 1 (for new first-year students) or June 1 (for new transfer and graduate students) at 11:59 p.m. PST on the appropriate scholarship deadline. Note that incomplete and/or late applications will not be reviewed.
Contact Details
If at any time you have any questions regarding the program or its online application process, feel free to contact the NTSAF at (213) 740-7575 or ntsaf@usc.edu.
The USC Topping Scholarship Official Website
Finally, apply to or learn more about the USC Topping Scholarship at https://ntsaf.usc.edu/. Looking for more scholarships like this? Check out our guide on Shandong University Scholarship and Drake University Presidential Scholarship.
