TOPPING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD & REQUIREMENTS

The NTSAF offers supplemental scholarships to entering freshmen, transfer and graduate students based on the USC Financial Aid package for each Topping Scholar. The Topping Scholarship award is based on the individual’s USC financial aid package. The undergraduate award is a maximum of $5,500 per academic year. The maximum graduate award is $10,000 per academic year. The Topping Scholarship is renewable during the student’s undergraduate or graduate tenure at USC if the Topping Scholar fulfills all scholarship requirements.  These requirements include maintaining a minimum USC cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (3.0 for graduate Fellows), continual full-time enrollment in an on-campus program, full attendance at all NTSAF required events, and completion of 20 hours of community service per semester.  The Topping Scholar’s class standing and program of study determines the maximum number of eligible semesters of scholarship. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for scholarship consideration, candidates must:

• Apply for USC admission in an on-campus program (in the same calendar year as the Scholarship deadline) as a freshman, transfer or graduate student
• Have financial need 
• Be eligible for need-based aid in the U.S. (MUST submit FAFSA or Dream Act application)
• Demonstrate community awareness.

The following checklist provides specific questions to help determine your eligibility for the Topping Scholarship:

• Are you applying for USC admission for Fall as a full-time freshman, transfer, or graduate student? OR Are you a new USC Spring/Summer admit? 
• Do you have financial need (as determined by USC Financial Aid) and are you eligible for federal, state, and/or university funding including:
  • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Pell Grant, Work-study, Cal Grant, Dream Act, or University (USC) Grant?
  • Also, you must submit a FAFSA or Dream Act application.
• Do you demonstrate community awareness and contribute to the betterment of a community through volunteer efforts?

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants admitted to USC are evaluated on the following criteria for a finalist interview:

• Initiative & Achievements
• Community Awareness
• Volunteer Efforts
• Goals while at USC
• First-Generation college student status; prior residence in the areas surrounding USC*

*Applicants who reside in the local USC community and first-generation college students are given primary consideration in the selection process. However, selection is not limited to these populations.

NOTE: FORMER TOPPING SCHOLARS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A TOPPING FELLOWSHIP, FOR A NEW GRADUATE PROGRAM AND ONLY FOR THEIR GRADUATE DEGREE.