Town and Gown of USC Scholarship

Merit-based scholarship program providing 200 scholarships totaling $2,300,000 to deserving incoming freshman, undergraduate, and graduate students at USC for tuition expenses.

Award Amounts:

• Undergraduate students: $10,000 per year
• Graduate students: $15,000 per year

Geographic Scope: Southern California, stretching from the Kern County border to the California/Mexico border

Focus Areas: Merit-based awards considering academic performance, leadership skills, and community engagement

Eligibility Requirements

Must satisfy ALL of the following:

• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.4 or higher
• Demonstrate strong academic performance, effective leadership skills, and active participation in the community
• Establish permanent residency within Southern California boundaries (Kern County to California/Mexico border)
• No familial relation to any member of Town and Gown of USC engaged in selection and funding at time of application
• Should not currently hold Town and Gown of USC membership
• Should not be receiving tuition remission of 50% or more (e.g., Trustee Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, or combinations thereof)
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student:
  • Undergraduate: minimum 12-18 units per semester, graduation within 4 years (unless 5-year or progressive degree program)
  • Master's degree: minimum 8 units per semester
  • Doctoral students: minimum 6 units per semester
  • Students engaged in dissertation work are NOT eligible

Categories of Applicants:

• Incoming Freshman
• Transfer Undergraduate and Graduate
• Enrolled USC Undergraduate and Graduate

Permanent Residency Criteria for Southern California

For all applicants:

• Graduated from a Southern California high school or equivalent
• Will be graduating from a Southern California high school or equivalent
• Completed 4 years as undergraduate student at USC

For graduate students 24 years or younger (must satisfy one):

• Four-year residency with high school diploma or equivalent from Southern California institution
• Completed four-year undergraduate program at USC
• Verification letter from employer in Southern California

For graduate students 25 years or older (must satisfy one):

• Evidence of five years of residency in Southern California by providing degree, diploma, or professional certificate from accredited institution in Southern California
• Completed four-year undergraduate program at USC
• Verification letter from employer in Southern California

Award Maintenance

To retain scholarship:

• Continue enrollment as full-time student (as defined by program)
• Maintain minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Familiarize yourself with scholarship contract for mandatory additional conditions

Continuation for Progressive/Graduate Degrees: Current or past undergraduate Town and Gown of USC Scholarship recipients may request continuation of scholarship to pursue progressive or graduate degree if they continue to meet scholarship requirements

Selection Criteria

Award process considers:

• GPA
• Activities
• Leadership positions
• Community engagement
• Awards and accolades
• Personal interview (prerequisite for scholarship consideration)

Application Process

Application Period:

• Opens: July 15, 2025
• Closes: November 15, 2025
• Award notification: By June 1, 2026

Important Notes:

• Application may be submitted before applying to and/or being admitted to USC
• Interview is a prerequisite for scholarship consideration

Application Steps

1. Register/Create Profile:
   • Visit the online application portal at townandgownofusc.org/students/apply-online/
   • Complete registration form with:
   • Email address
   • Password
   • USCID (10-digit, if available)
   • First name, middle name, last name
   • Preferred pronouns
   • Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY format)
   • Home phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx format)
   • Cell phone (optional, xxx-xxx-xxxx format)
   • Preferred method of contact (Home or Cell)
2. Login:
   • Use email address and password to access application
   • Password recovery available if credentials forgotten
3. Complete Application:
   • Fill out all required fields
   • Provide information for evaluation against eligibility criteria and selection criteria
4. Interview:
   • Selected candidates will be contacted to schedule mandatory interview

Required Materials

• All information required in registration and application forms
• Evidence of Southern California residency (as per residency criteria)
• Documentation supporting academic credentials and GPA
• Information about activities, leadership positions, and community engagement

Questions/Support

Email: scholarship@townandgownofusc.org