Annenberg Scholarships and Awards
Thanks to the support of generous donors, USC Annenberg offers a diverse array of student aid.* Applicants must be currently enrolled in a USC Annenberg major or 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 majors and graduate degree programs
- Must demonstrate financial need
- Awards vary based upon each student’s unique circumstances
Average award: $500
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 majors 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 is 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 majors 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 26 and are due Monday, September 23, 2024, at 12 p.m.
Apply to the Kaleigh Finnie Memorial Endowment Fund
School of Journalism continuing student scholarships
Tim Novoselski Memorial Scholarship
The Tim Novoselski Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Timothy Stephen Novoselski (’74.)
- Eligibility criteria: Undergraduate journalism major, 3.0 GPA minimum
- Award: $8,500 for the spring 2025 semester
- The application deadline is March 6, 2025
Apply to the Tim Novoselski Memorial Scholarship
Annette M. Haddad Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility criteria: Merit-based
- Positive consideration will be given to female students who are of Junior or Senior class standing and who demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and a commitment to the professional integrity, ethics, and standards of the journalism field.
- Award: $7,500
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Annette M. Haddad Memorial Scholarship
Edna Lillich Davidson Scholarship
- Eligibility criteria: Need-based
- Positive consideration will be given to a student who has achieved Senior class standing.
- Award: $6,300
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Edna Lillich Davidson Scholarship
Edwin O. and JoAnn Guthman Scholarship for Excellence in Investigative Journalism
- Eligibility criteria: Need-based, merit-based
- Positive consideration will be given to students with a demonstrated interest in investigative reporting.
- Award: $10,000
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Edwin O. and JoAnn Guthman Scholarship for Excellence in Investigative Journalism
Glen and Alberta Ingles Scholarship
- Eligibility criteria: Positive consideration will be given to students with a demonstrated interest in investigative reporting. Additional qualifications based on faculty discretion
- Award: $2,500
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Glen and Alberta Ingles Scholarship
Herb Klein Scholarship in Government and Political Reporting
- Eligibility criteria: Merit-based
- Positive consideration will be given to students who are of Junior or Senior class standing and who demonstrate outstanding work in the field of political or government reporting.
- Award: $7,400
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Herb Klein Scholarship in Government and Political Reporting
Richard Drake Slocum Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility criteria: Merit-based
- Qualifications based on faculty discretion.
- Award: $4,000
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Richard Drake Slocum Memorial Scholarship
Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship
- Positive consideration will be given to students with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in sports journalism. Successful recipients will be invited to a Lakers game during the fall Semester.
- Award: 2 awards of $8,750 each
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship
M. Patrick Mott Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility criteria: Need-based, merit-based
- Positive consideration will be given to a Senior or Junior who has a passion for storytelling, a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the journalism field, and an interest in music.
- Award: $6,200
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the M. Patrick Mott Memorial Scholarship
Undergraduate Public Relations Awards
Pat Penney Public Relations Endowed Scholarship
- Award: $5,100
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Pat Penney Public Relations Endowed Scholarship
Noemi Pollack Scholarship
- Eligibility criteria: Merit-based
- Required work assignment at the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations.
- Additional qualifications based on faculty discretion.
- Award: $5,000
- The application deadline is March 12, 2025
Apply to the Noemi Pollack Scholarship
School-wide Awards
Allan Malamud Scholarship
- Eligibility criteria: Need-based, merit-based
- Positive consideration will be given to students who are of Junior or Senior class standing and who demonstrate an interest in sports journalism.
- Award: 4 awards of $6,500 (2 graduate and 2 undergraduate students)
- The application deadline is May 21, 2025