Annenberg Scholarships and Awards

Thanks to the support of generous donors, USC Annenberg is able to offer a diverse array of student aid.* Applicants must be currently enrolled in a USC Annenberg degree program to be eligible for an award. Some awards are available year-round, while others are awarded annually. For those awards given annually, please check back early during the Spring semester to access the application.

*Students who are immediate or extended family members, dependents or other relatives of the donor(s) or selection committee members are not eligible to receive scholarships from these funds.

Student aid available year-round

Student Emergency Aid Fund

Eligibility criteria:

Undergraduate or graduate
All undergraduate and graduate degree programs
Must demonstrate financial need
Awards vary based upon each student’s unique circumstances

Average award: $1,000

Awards are distributed to students experiencing unforeseen circumstances and emergencies impacting their ability to pay tuition or cover everyday living expenses. These awards are not intended to cover full-tuition expenses, but rather serve as bridge funding to guarantee students’ continued enrollment at USC until other resources, such as scholarships or loans, become available. Students are encouraged to provide as much information in their application, as well as contact their academic adviser directly with questions about additional resources available to them.

Apply to the Student Emergency Aid Fund

Student Success Fund

Eligibility criteria:

Undergraduate or graduate
All undergraduate and graduate degree programs
Must demonstrate financial need
Awards vary based upon each student’s unique circumstances

Average award: $500

Awards will be distributed throughout the year via an application process to students pursuing extra- and co-curricular programs and opportunities not covered by tuition. Funding is available for, but not limited to:

participation in experiential-learning programs offered by USC Annenberg, including Maymester
expenses related to internships, such as travel and lodging
non-tuition costs arising from study abroad
registration, travel and lodging costs incurred for professional and career development conferences, seminars and workshops, and
expenses related to student research and assignments, such as capstone projects, which might require additional travel and lodging costs beyond what is covered by tuition

Apply to the Student Success Fund

In the case of the Student Emergency Aid Fund and the Student Success Fund, please be aware that:

Funding requests are not guaranteed.
Awards will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high volume of requests, students will only be notified if funds become available.
Awards are given in the form of a one-time stipend.
The Financial Aid Office is notified of all stipends. Stipends qualify as part of a student's financial aid package. Therefore, a stipend might reduce other financial aid that you have been awarded, depending on the type of aid received. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions regarding your financial aid package.

Kaleigh Finnie Memorial Endowment Fund

Eligibility criteria:

Undergraduate or graduate
All undergraduate and graduate degree programs

Awards available up to $3,000.

Established in memory of USC Annenberg student Kaleigh Finnie, this fund supports students whose work seeks to address the ongoing mental health crisis. This merit-based fund provides scholarships and awards to USC Annenberg undergraduate or graduate students who will leverage communication, journalism and/or public relations to contribute critical research and generate important conversations around mental health. Applicants will be asked to provide a description of their research interest or project relating to mental health. Applications will open on August 23 and are due Friday, September 29, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Apply to the Kaleigh Finnie Memorial Endowment Fund