Eligibility Requirements

To apply for federal financial aid, all applicants to USC’s graduate programs must:

Be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens;

Possess a valid Social Security number;

Be registered with the Selective Service System (if applicable);

Not be in default on a federal student loan;

Be admitted to a degree-granting program of study at USC, or an eligible certificate program;

Be enrolled in a minimum of 4 units per semester in a master’s degree program, or 3 units in a doctoral program, or be enrolled in a course considered full-time by the registrar (thesis/dissertation); and

Make satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their degree.

To receive any aid for which they may be eligible, applicants must meet all published deadlines and submit any additional requested information. Applicants who miss any published deadline will not be eligible for Federal Work-Study.

International Students

Although international students are not eligible to receive federal or USC need-based financial aid, they may be awarded merit scholarships and/or other departmental awards.

Additionally, international students may apply for some private loans with a qualified co-signer who is a U.S. citizen.

Please visit the International Student page for more information.