Eligibility Requirements

Town and Gown of USC Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Scholarships are for tuition only. Please review the eligibility requirements before completing an application. The purpose of this merit-based scholarship is solely to cover tuition. It is important to review the eligibility requirements before proceeding with the application.

Eligibility criteria are:

• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
• Applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.4 or higher to be considered for the scholarship.
• Applicant must exhibit strong academic performance, effective leadership skills, and active participation in the community.
• Applicant must establish permanent residency within the geographical boundaries of Southern California, stretching from the Kern County border to the California/Mexico border.
• The applicant must not have any familial relation to any member of Town and Gown of USC who is presently engaged in the selection and funding of scholarships at the time of submitting the scholarship application.
•  The applicant should not currently hold a membership with Town and Gown of USC.
• The applicant should not be receiving any form of tuition remission, such as a Trustee Scholarship (covering full tuition), Presidential Scholarship (covering half-tuition), or any other combination of scholarships that add up to 50% of the tuition.
• The applicant is required to be enrolled as a full-time student.
• Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 to 18 units per semester and attain graduation within a 4-year timeframe, unless enrolled in a 5-year program such as Architecture.
• Graduate students pursuing a master’s degree are required to fulfill a minimum of 8 units per semester.
• Doctoral students are required to fulfill a minimum of 6 units per semester.
• Students engaged in dissertation work are not eligible for this scholarship.
• To maintain the scholarship, Town and Gown of USC Scholars must be full-time students as defined by their program and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Familiarizing yourself with the scholarship contract is crucial if you receive an award, as it includes mandatory additional conditions.
• The award process considers leadership positions, community engagement, accolades, and a personal interview.

Categories of Applicants

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

* Current or past undergraduate Town and Gown of USC Scholarship recipients must reapply for a Progressive or Graduate Scholarship.

How do I Determine if I am a Permanent Resident of Southern California?

• If you are an undergraduate student, you must have completed your high school education or equivalent in Southern California.
• USC undergraduate students who have completed 4 years are eligible.
• Graduate students 24 years or younger must satisfy one of the following conditions:
  • Establish a four-year residency with a high school diploma or equivalent from a Southern California institution.
  • Completed four-year undergraduate program at USC.
  • Submit a verification letter from your employer in Southern California.
• Graduate students 25 years or older are required to meet the following criteria:
  • Evidence of five years of residency in Southern California by providing a degree, diploma, or professional certificate from an accredited institution in Southern California.
  • Submit your undergraduate degree from USC.
  • Provide a verification letter from your employer in Southern California.