Every year while the merit scholarship program, awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, is the largest merit-based scholarship program offered at USC and does not require any separate application, there are some merit-based scholarships put on by various groups on campus that provide scholarships to hundreds of students. Some groups that award scholarships that are such the Latino Alumni Association, the Black Alumni Association, Town and Gown (for Southern California residents), the Lambda LGBT Alumni Association, etc. These merit scholarships do indeed require an application that is separate addition to your application for admission, and as the deadlines are fast approaching, you might want to consider applying to any that pertain to you. For the complete list of merit scholarships and deadlines, please visit USC Scholarships and download the PDF at the end associated with the page.

One that shmoop.pro we wish to emphasize could be the Norman Topping scholar Aid Fund (NTSAF). The point of this scholarship is always to provide low-income students whom have demonstrated a exceptional level of community service a chance to simply help fund their greater education at USC. But the scholarship spans beyond the financial reward: NTSAF works to create a help system for its scholars through access to academic success seminars, monthly faculty lunches, basic advising, and even a report break program complete with treats and masseuses!

The amount of the honor is significantly diffent for each Topping Scholar in line with the USC Financial Aid Package she or he receives, and is supposed to be utilized in combination with any state, federal, and/or USC aid. It is important to remember that first-generation college students (meaning neither parent graduated from college) also as neighborhood area applicants get primary consideration. However, this scholarship just isn’t limited by these aforementioned groups.

Eric Watkins, a junior from Republic, Missouri majoring that is double Political Science and Public Relations, is really a current recipient of this Topping Scholarship. In senior high school, Eric was a community organizer for Obama for America, where he canvassed the streets of his hometown registering voters and garnering support for our now second-term president. Eric also founded a group that is livestrong his high school, where he aided organize fundraising events that earned money for cancer research.

When asked about the way the Topping Scholarship has changed his life, Eric says: ‘For me, Norman Topping is not a scholarship, but a grouped family; a support system comprised of fellow students, faculty and mentors. As a first-generation college student, I’ve learned to utilize that support system.’ besides the monetary award, the built-in network that the Topping Foundation provides certainly assists guide the often daunting transition from high school student to college scholar. Eric says learning to be a person in the ‘Topping Family’ has led to other opportunities at USC: he has become a mentor and frontrunner to many other low-income, first-generation students in the community.

Eric has some sound advice for future USC and Topping applicants: ‘find approaches to harness the relationships you have with teachers and counselors. Great teachers and counselors will allow you to reach your goals.’ Eric additionally notes you are passionate about, no matter how big or small those passions may seem that it is important to find service opportunities.

For more detailed information about the Norman Topping scholar Aid Fund, including information on the application process, please visit NTSAF.

Between the Trojan Family and the Topping family members, students have access to support that is endless at USC. Fight On!

Holiday Season in Review: A Photo Journey

2013 is already well under way within the working Office of Admission once we continue to read applications. Like our students, our staff enjoyed a nice break from getting into the office to commemorate the breaks with relatives and buddies. In purchase to offer a better concept of just how our staff spends time off, We’ve gathered a pictures that are few emphasize the various activities (and climates!) we experienced during the holiday season that is recent.

Jessica Howard displayed her Trojan character as she skied in Colorado, while Becky Chassin enjoyed a vacation to Cabo, Mexico.

One of our new blog contributors, Jomar Gomez, dropped down to 1 knee to propose to his girlfriend. (She stated yes!)

While Yamilet Medina Lopez posed near a snowman in Mammoth, Kenley Turville sledded with her dog and family in Utah!

Samantha Schreiber experienced the wonders of Italy, which included visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and making pizza!

Sean Ohira, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, shared an amazing view from their trip home within the vacations.

Like a lot of our staff, Anne Aubert-Santelli enjoyed the snow during a grouped household journey to upstate ny.

Finally, our esteemed Director, Kirk Brennan, shared this photo from his travels to nj-new jersey.

Wherever you spent time over the holiday season, we hope it had been relaxing and you also were able to spend quality time with loved ones!