USC National Merit Finalist Scholarship
USC merit awards include awards up to full tuition; exact value varies.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Undergraduate
Destination
United States
Funding
$20,000 per year (confirmed on official scholarships page). Renewable for undergraduate study.
Eligible applicants
Domestic and international; scholarship-specific
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
USC National Merit Finalist Scholarship is offered by University of Southern California for Undergraduate study in United States. Details were checked against the provider’s official page on October 11, 2026.
Application checklist
What you’ll need
The confirmed essentials for this application. Always check the official source before applying.
- University admissionMust be admitted to USC and designate USC as first choice with NMSC
- USC undergraduate applicationRequired
- NMSC first-choice designationRequired
What this scholarship covers
$20,000/year scholarship
Included
$20,000 per year (confirmed on official scholarships page). Renewable for undergraduate study. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Checked against the official criteria on October 11, 2026
International students
No
Domestic students
Conditional
Scholarship scope
University-specific
Last eligibility check
October 11, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- US citizens and US permanent residents (National Merit program requirement).
- International eligibility
- Not available to international students — the National Merit program is for US students only.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Must be named a National Merit Finalist by NMSC
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Universities
- University of Southern California
Official eligibility summary
Students who are admitted to USC, named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), and list USC as their first-choice institution with NMSC.
Applicant profile
- Domestic and international; scholarship-specific
Study route
- Undergraduate study in United States
Current-cycle criteria
- Students who are admitted to USC, named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), and list USC as their first-choice institution with NMSC.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
The required documents are summarized above. Confirm the final checklist with the official provider before you apply.
How to apply
- 1
Take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade and qualify as a National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist.
- 2
Apply to USC by the Early Action/Early Decision deadline (November 1).
- 3
Designate USC as your first-choice institution with NMSC.
Application timeline
Application cycle
Annual. USC application deadline: EA/ED November 1. Must also designate USC as first choice with NMSC.
The listed deadline is November 1, 2026. Confirm it on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
University of Southern California
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 11, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
The listed deadline is November 1, 2026. Confirm that it remains current on the official provider page.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.