Continuing Students
Applying for Financial Aid
This section of our website contains key information to help clarify and explain the financial aid application process for new students and their parents applying for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Note: If you still need to apply for 2023-24 financial aid, please do so as soon as possible using the 2023-2024 CSS Profile and FAFSA.
Eligibility for Funding:
To receive financial aid, students must be: a U.S. citizen; an eligible non-citizen (such as a permanent resident, refugee, or asylee); or an undocumented person meeting certain criteria. Students must also be admitted to USC, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, and not be in default on prior loans. Undergraduates who have been awarded a California Dream Grant and who meet all other eligibility requirements may be considered for limited university funding.
Prospective First-Year Students
Apply for financial aid as soon as possible after you apply for admission to ensure you receive notification of your financial aid eligibility before the May 1 National Candidates Reply Date. Respond to any additional requests from USC within 10 days. To monitor your status, log in to .
Step 1: FAFSA and CSS Profile
January 12, 2024: Early Action applicants
February 7, 2024: Regular Decision applicants
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA Application online. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for the low-interest Direct Loan as well as federal and state grants.
Submit as soon as December 2023, but no later than January 12, 2024 for Early Action applicants, and February 7, 2024 for Regular Decision applicants.
Use your 2022 parent and student income. For the most efficient processing, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
USC’s Federal School Code is 001328.
Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not begin to process this information until November. Therefore, your submission may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms Page until early November.
CSS Profile Application
Complete the 2024-2025 CSS Profile online. The CSS Profile information, along with your FAFSA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds.
Use your 2022 parent and student income.
Be sure to include your Social Security number.
USC’s CSS School Code is 4852.
USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.
Submit as soon as December 2023, but no later than January 12, 2024 for Early Action applicants, and February 7, 2024 for Regular Decision applicants.
Step 2: Cal Grant
March 4, 2024
California Residents only: Apply for a Cal Grant
Submit the FAFSA and have the school you currently attend or most recently attended submit your certified GPA to the Cal Grant Program.
For the fastest, most secure processing, your school may upload GPA information directly to the California Student Aid Commission's system.
If electronic submission is unavailable, request that your school certify a paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form (available at csac.ca.gov).
AB540-Eligible Students: You must complete the online California Dream Act Application by March 4. Visit dream.csac.ca.gov for the application. You must also submit your GPA Verification Form to CSAC by March 4.
Step 3: Additional Information
As Soon As Possible, If Applicable:
Tax Return Information
Financial Aid is working with Veri-Tax to simplify the way you submit your tax information. If your information is requested, fill out the 4506-C form sent by Veri-Tax, and our office will handle it from there. You will receive an email from Veri-Tax with more information if this applies to you.
If your parents . . .
Are married or are unmarried and live together, but filed separately in 2022: Submit information for both tax returns.
Are divorced or separated and don't live together: Provide information from your custodial parent's 2022 federal tax return. If your parents filed jointly for 2022, submit information from that return. If your custodial parent has remarried, submit information for that parent and your stepparent. You will be advised if tax information from your non-custodial parent is required.
Are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2022: Submit a completed Parent Non-Filing Statement form.
File a tax return in another country: Submit a Parent Non-Filing Statement form indicating that they are filing a foreign return and attach translated documentation of their income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars. Please also submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.
Information regarding the HEROES Act: If you or your parents are unable to provide requested documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
CSS Profile Form for Noncustodial Parent
If your CSS Profile information indicates that your parents are separated, divorced or never married, your noncustodial parent is also required to complete the CSS Profile form.
USC will determine an expected contribution for the custodial parent, the noncustodial parent, and the stepparent, as appropriate.
Business Owners
Parents who are business owners must also submit a copy of their business tax documents for each business to the Financial Aid Office. For each business, submit a copy of your federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.
Additional Documentation
Provide copies of tax returns or any other additional documents or information requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 business days of the request.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 days.
Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not begin to process this information until November. Therefore, your submission may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms Page until early November.
Step 4: Special Circumstances
Families occasionally experience unforeseen changes during the application period and/or academic year (such as a job loss, illness, etc.). If this applies to you, notify the Financial Aid Office in writing, outlining the circumstances. Include copies of appropriate supporting documentation, and write your USC ID number on the first page of each document. You will be contacted if additional documentation is required.
For more information, visit Special Circumstances and Appeals.
Checklist
Prospective First-Year Checklist
| FAFSA | fafsa.gov | by January 12, 2024 for Early Action applicants by February 7, 2024 for Regular Decision applicants |
| CSS Profile | profileonline.collegeboard.com | by January 12, 2024 for Early Action applicants February 7, 2024 for Regular Decision applicants |
| Cal Grant (California residents only) | csac.ca.gov | by March 4, 2024 |
| Tax returns or Non-Filing Statement forms | If requested, within 10 days |
|
| Monitor your status |
Prospective Transfer Students
To be considered for USC Merit Scholarships, apply for admission by February 15. Apply for financial aid by March 4. To monitor your status, log in to .
Step 1: FAFSA and CSS Profile
March 4, 2024
CSS Profile Application
Complete the 2024-2025 CSS Profile online. The CSS Profile information, along with your FAFSA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds.
Use your best estimates of 2022 parent and student income.
Be sure to include your Social Security number.
USC’s CSS School Code is 4852.
USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA Application online. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for the low-interest Direct Loan as well as federal and state grants.
Submit as soon as December 2023, but before midnight Eastern Time (9:00 p.m. Pacific Time) on March 4, 2024.
Use your best estimates of 2022 parent and student income.
USC’s Federal School Code is 001328.
Step 2: Cal Grant
March 4, 2024
California Residents Only: Apply for a Cal Grant
Transfer Students Not Currently Receiving a Cal Grant:
Submit the FAFSA and have the school you currently attend or most recently attended submit your certified GPA to the Cal Program. For fastest, most secure processing, your school may upload GPA information directly to the California Student Aid Commission's system.
If electronic submission is unavailable, request that your school certify a paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form, available at: csac.ca.gov
Transfer Students Currently Receiving a Cal Grant:
If you received a Cal Grant at your previous college, in addition to submitting the FAFSA by March 4, you will need to transfer the grant to USC after you are admitted, by posting a school change at WebGrants for Students.
Step 3: Additional Information
As soon as possible, if applicable:
Tax Return Information
Financial Aid is working with Veri-Tax to simplify the way you submit your tax information. If your information is requested, simply fill out the 4506-C form sent by Veri-Tax, and our office will handle it from there. You will receive an email from Veri-Tax with more information if this applies to you.
If you or your parents are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2022, submit a completed Student and/or Parent Non-Filing Statement Form.
If your parents . . .
Are married and filed separately: Submit information for both tax returns.
Are divorced or separated: Provide information from your custodial parent's 2022 federal tax return. If your parents filed jointly for 2022, submit information from that return. If your custodial parent has remarried, submit information for him/her and your stepparent. You will be advised if tax information from your noncustodial parent is required.
Are not legally required to file a federal income tax return for 2022: Submit a completed Parent Non-Filing Statement form.
File a tax return in another country: Submit a Parent Non-Filing Statement form indicating that they are filing a foreign return and attach translated documentation of their income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars. Please also submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.
Information regarding the HEROES Act: If you or your parents are unable to provide requested documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
CSS Profile Form for Noncustodial Parents
If your CSS Profile information indicates that your parents are separated, divorced or never married, your noncustodial parent is required to complete the CSS Profile form.
USC will determine an expected contribution for the custodial parent, the noncustodial parent and the stepparent, as appropriate.
Special Circumstances
If your family has special circumstances you would like us to consider such as job loss, salary decrease or illness, please submit a detailed letter and supporting documentation.
Business Owners
Parents who are business owners must also submit a copy of their business tax documents for each business to the Financial Aid Office. For each business, submit a copy of your federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.
Additional Documentation
Provide copies of tax returns or any other additional documents or information requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 business days of the request.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office within 10 days.
Documents submitted to the USC Financial Aid Office become the property of the university and cannot be returned to the student or duplicated for any purpose.
Step 4: When You Will Be Notified
Pay close attention to deadlines, and respond to any additional requests from USC within 10 days. If you meet all deadlines and eligibility requirements, and promptly submit any additional requested documentation, you will be notified of your financial aid seven (7) business days after you have been admitted.
You can monitor your financial aid status by logging in to FAST. Your summary will be viewable online only.
Checklist
Prospective Transfer Checklist
| FAFSA | studentaid.gov | by March 4, 2024 |
| CSS Profile | collegeboard.org/cssprofile | by March 4, 2024 |
| Cal Grant (California residents only) | csac.ca.gov | by March 4, 2024 |
| Tax returns or Non-Filing Statement forms | FAST | If requested, within 10 days |
| Monitor your status | FAST |
How-to Videos
How to Submit Documents
This presentation covers the step-by-step process for submitting documents.
