Eligibility Requirements

Town and Gown of USC Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

This merit-based scholarship is awarded for tuition only. Please review the eligibility requirements before proceeding with the application.

Eligibility Requirements are:

• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
• Applicant 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 have established 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% or more 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 or a progressive degree program.
• 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 GPA, activities, leadership positions, community engagement, honors and awards, and a personal interview.
• Current or past undergraduate Town and Gown of USC scholarship recipients may request a continuation of their scholarship to pursue a progressive or graduate degree if they continue to meet the scholarship requirments associated with the scholarship award.

Categories of Applicants

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

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.
• If you have completed 4 years as a USC undergraduate student
• Graduate students 24 years or younger must satisfy one of the following requirements:
  • 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 verification letter from your employer in Southern California.
• Graduate students 25 years or older must satisfy one of the following requirements:
  • Evidence of five years of residency in Southern California by providing a degree, diploma, or professional certificate from an accredited institution in Southern California.
  • Completed four-year undergraduate program at USC.
  • Submit verification letter from your employer in Southern California.