Student Basic Needs offers economic support for students experiencing financial insecurity of having a stable and predictable income to support a standard of living.
Financial insecurity refers to the inability of students to access financial resources to be a successful student or find the resources to gain financial literacy, such as educational materials to understand what resources are available and where to receive additional support.
Student Basic Needs Supplemental Funding
The Student Basic Needs Supplemental Funding is a one-time funding opportunity designed to help currently enrolled students who are experiencing sudden financial distress due to unforeseen circumstances. These awards are available for students experiencing financial difficulties that jeopardize their success or continued enrollment at USC and who have exhausted all other resources. Examples may include, but are not limited to housing costs, food costs, or unforeseen dental/medical costs.
Examples of how awards can be used:
- Housing/rent expenses;
- Food expenses;
- Unforeseen medical/dental expenses;
- Childcare expenses
Examples of how awards can’t be used:
- Transportation expenses (e.g. gas);
- Vehicle repairs/expenses (e.g. car parts);
- Books, supplies, or technology expenses;
- Tuition & fees
Please note: To be considered for supplemental funding, financial aid recipients (anyone receiving grants, scholarships, work-study, and/or loans) must connect with USC Financial Aid to discuss any available options that can meet their current financial needs.
Eligibility
- Student must be enrolled at least half time, and in the term (i.e. Fall, Spring, Summer) funds are being requested
- Have sudden financial distress due to unforeseen circumstances
- Have a $0 bill balance with the university
- Receive approval from Financial Aid. Student Basic Needs will connect with the Financial Aid Office on your behalf
- Must be able to supply any additional information requested such as bills, receipts, or other documents
Application Process
Once you have connected with USC Financial Aid (if applicable), and have met the above eligibility requirements, please complete the Student Basic Needs Supplemental Funding Award application via USC Scholarship Universe. Students must log in using the USC Undergraduate Applicant or USC Graduate Applicant option.
Spring 2025 Application
- The Spring 2025 application will open on February 1, 2025.
USC Financial Aid
Emergency Information: immediate resources for those who have been impacted by the Los Angeles area fires
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USC Alumni Association Scholarships
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USC Dornsife Continuing Student Scholarships
Please click the link to read more about these scholarships.
Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarships
Must be a full-time student (undergraduate, transfer, graduate or professional) enrolled in a USC degree program or who will be enrolled (in the case of an incoming first-year, transfer or graduate student) for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters).
Black Alumni Association Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to USC students on the basis of academic and personal merit in addition to having demonstrated involvement within the African-American community.
Graduate Student Government Emergency Fund
Open to USC graduate students in good standing and who have paid the Graduate Student Programming Fee for the current semester.
Half-Century Trojans Scholarships
Open only to continuing USC undergraduate students. Applicant must be a direct descendant (grandchild or great-grandchild) of (1) a person who received an undergraduate degree from USC 50 or more years ago, or (2) a person who received an undergraduate degree from a college or university 50 or more years ago and later received a graduate degree from USC.
Lambda LGBT Alumni Scholarships
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Provides partial-tuition scholarships to USC undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Latino/Hispanic community. Graduate scholarships are for master’s candidates only; limited awards for law, medical, and doctor of pharmacy students are also available.
Town and Gown of USC
Provides merit-based scholarships to deserving incoming freshmen, and current undergraduate, and graduate students.
Trojan League of Los Angeles
Must be full-time students enrolled in the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at USC