Applying for Financial Aid - Financial Aid (2024)

January 12, 2024: Early Action applicants

Applications received by this date will be prioritized for review. We will, however, continue to review applications received after January 12.

February 7, 2024: Regular Decision applicants

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for low-interest Federal Direct Loans, as well as federal and state grants. Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA online using the following information:

• Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

Submit your application as soon as December, but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

NOTE: The document request will remain on your FAST portal until we receive your FAFSA data from the Department of Education. We appreciate your patience.

CSS Profile Application

The Profile, along with your FAFSA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds. Complete the 2024-2025 CSS Profile online by providing the following information:

• Use your 2022 parent and student income.
• Be sure to include your Social Security number (if you have one).
• Enter USC’s CSS School Code: 4852.

Submit your application as soon as October 1 but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

Note: USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.

Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms page of your FAST account until early November.

April 2, 2024

To apply:

• Submit your FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.
• Have your current or most recently attended school submit your certified GPA to the Cal Grant Program.

For the quickest, most secure way to submit your GPA information, have your school upload it directly to the California Student Aid Commission’s system.

If your grade information cannot be submitted electronically, have your school certify and submit a paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form, available at csac.ca.gov.

AB540-Eligible Students:

• Complete the online California Dream Act Application by April 2.
• Submit your GPA Verification Form to CSAC by April.

You may receive requests for additional information. Please respond within 10 business days.

Tax Return Information

Financial Aid is working with Veri-Tax to simplify the way you and your parent(s) submit the 2022 Federal tax information. If your tax information is requested, all you need to do is fill out a 4506-T form sent by Veri-Tax, and our office will manage the next step. Keep an eye out for an email from Veri-Tax with more information, if applicable.

For parent(s) who…

Are married and filed separate 2022 federal tax return:

• Submit information from both tax returns.

Are divorced or separated and do not live together:

• Provide information from your custodial parent’s 2022 federal tax return.
• If your custodial parent has remarried, submit information for your parent and stepparent.
• You will be notified if we require your noncustodial parent’s tax information.
• If your parents filed jointly for 2022, submit information from that “joint” return.

CSS Profile Form for Noncustodial Parent

• If your CSS Profile marital status 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.

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.
• Attach translated documentation of their income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars.
• Submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.

Qualify under the HEROES Act:

• If you or your parents are unable to provide documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.

Are Business Owners:

• For each business, submit a copy of the federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.

Important notes

Additional Documentation

Please provide any requested documentation within 10 business days.

Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms page of your FAST account until early November.

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 circ*mstances.
• Include copies of appropriate supporting documentation.
• Write your USC ID number on the first page of each document.

You will be contacted if we require any additional documentation.

For more information, visit Special Circ*mstances and Appeals.

March 4, 2024

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for low-interest Federal Direct Loans, as well as federal and state grants. Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSAonline using the following information:

• Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

Submit your application as soon as December but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

CSS Profile Application

The Profile, along with your FAFSA information, will help determine your eligibility for USC student aid funds. Complete the 2024-2025 CSS Profile online by providing the following information:

• Use your 2022 parent and student income.
• Be sure to include your Social Security number (if you have one).
• Enter USC’s CSS School Code: 4852.

Submit your application as soon as October 1 but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

Note: USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.

April 2, 2024
Transfer Students Not Currently Receiving a Cal Grant:

• Submit the FAFSA by the April deadline.
• Have your current or most recently attended school submit your certified GPA to the Cal Grant Program.

Undocumented/ Dreamer students who are eligible should submit the California Dream Act Application

For the quickest, most secure way to submit your GPA information, have your school upload it directly to the California Student Aid Commission’s system.

If your grade information cannot be submitted electronically, have your school certify and submit 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:

• Submit the FAFSA by the March deadline.
• Post a school change at WebGrants for Students to have your grant transferred to USC after you are admitted.

You may receive requests for additional information. Please respond within 10 business days.

Tax Return Information

Financial Aid is working with Veri-Tax to simplify the way you submit your tax information. If your tax information is requested, all you need to do is fill out a 4506-C form sent by Veri-Tax, and our office will handle it from there. Keep an eye out for an email from Veri-Tax with more information, if applicable.

If your parents…

Filed separately in 2022:

• Submit information from 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 custodial parent has remarried, submit information for your parent and stepparent.
• You will be notified if we require your noncustodial parent’s tax information.
• If your parents filed jointly for 2022, submit information from that “joint” return.

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.

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.
• Attach translated documentation of their income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars.
• Submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.

Qualify under the HEROES Act:

• If you or your parents are unable to provide documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.

Are Business Owners:

• For each business, submit a copy of the federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.

Important Notes

Additional Documentation

Please provide any requested documentation within 10 business days.

Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms page of your FAST account until early November.

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 circ*mstances.
• Include copies of appropriate supporting documentation.
• Write your USC ID number on the first page of each document.

You will be contacted if we require any additional documentation.

For more information, visit Special Circ*mstances and Appeals.

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.

No later than March 4, 2024.
Application can be started as soon as December 2023.

Complete the 2024-2025FAFSA online by following these steps:

• Submit the application at fafsa.gov
• Enter USC’s Federal School Code (OPEID): 001328.

Submit your application as soon as December but no later than the appropriate deadline listed above.

April 2, 2024

California residents who have completed fewer than 24 units at USC and are not currently receiving a Cal Grant must apply.

• If you are currently receiving a Cal Grant or if you have completed 24 units or more at USC, we will automatically upload your GPA information to the California Student Aid Commission.
• If you have completed less than 24 units at USC, download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Fill out the student portion of the form and sign it.
• Ask the registrar at the school you attended prior to USC to verify your GPA on the form. Make a copy of the form for your records and mail it to California Student Aid Commission by April 2, 2024.

You may receive requests for additional information. Please respond within 10 business days.

CSS Profile (if requested)

Complete the 2024-2025CSS Profileonline (if requested) by providing the following information:

• Use your 2022 parent and student income.
• Be sure to include your Social Security number.
• Enter USC’s CSS School Code: 4852.

Note:USC does not participate in the CSS IDOC program.

Tax Return Information

Financial Aid is working with Veri-Tax to simplify the way you submit your tax information. If your tax information is requested, all you need to do is fill out a 4506-C form sent by Veri-Tax, and our office will handle it from there. Keep an eye out for an email from Veri-Tax with more information, if applicable.

If your parents…

Are married and filed separately in 2022:

• Submit information from 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 custodial parent has remarried, submit information for your parent and stepparent.
• You will be notified if we require your noncustodial parent’s tax information.
• If your parents filed jointly for 2022, submit information from that “joint” return.

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.

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.
• Attach translated documentation of their income, such as a foreign tax return, employer statement, etc. Convert all amounts to U.S. dollars.
• Submit a completed Parent Income and Expense form.

Qualify under the HEROES Act:

• If you or your parents are unable to provide documentation due to military service, a national emergency, or a declared national disaster, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.

Are Business Owners:

• For each business, submit a copy of the federal K-1 statement, if applicable, and a copy of the first five pages of the corporate tax return or partnership tax return.

Important Notes

Additional Documentation

Please provide any requested documentation within 10 business days. Please note that the USC Financial Aid Office does not start processing applications until November. Your information may not be reflected in the Required Information and Forms page of your FAST account until early November.