If you are a DACA student, an undocumented student, or a student with temporary protected status, and you’re looking for support, please contact Queena Hoang, quhoang@usc.edu. She is the Coordinator of the USC First Generation Plus Center and the point of contact for coordinating efforts and opportunities across campus that support immigrant and international students. Your conversations with her will be confidential. She can connect you with resources regarding financial aid, academic and housing issues, confidential advising, and legal support. |
Financial Support
Financial Aid
USC appointed Financial Aid Outreach Associate Dean Diane Anchundia (213-740-5445) to help undocumented students with their financial aid needs.
A number of scholarships are available to undocumented students such as the Norman Topping Student Aid Fund, you can find them on the USC Scholarship Application System which includes a list of all currently available scholarships at USC. For a list of all Scholarships, including the ones with a past deadline, you can view them here. Additional opportunities are available at the USC Awards and Fellowships Database managed by the office of the Provost.
Here are some additional scholarships available at USC:
The USC Marshall Continuing Student Scholarship Program
The USC Latino Alumni Association Scholarship
DACA Renewal Fee
Through funding from the USC Graduate and Undergraduate Governments and private donations, DACAmented USC students can receive a DACA renewal fee scholarship. USC only covers the DACA renewal fee for USC students, but not for family members and Staff. Siblings of DACA/Undoc students can still receive legal advice and assistance with the legal aspects of DACA renewals from the USC Immigrant Legal Assistance Center. These funds are managed by the First Generation Plus Center.
Emergency Funds
The Graduate Student Government Emergency Fund
The Graduate Student Government Emergency Fund program is designed to help graduate students with unforeseen expenses arising from a crisis. The fund offers limited help as a stop-gap measure in an emergency situation. The funds are not a secondary form of college financing. The funds are provided to quickly address financial setbacks, and to help students stay focused on their coursework while progressing toward graduation. The funding limit is $700 per student per academic year.
The fund covers the following expenses:
- DACA renewal fees
- Sudden significant medical expenses
- Loss of housing due to natural disaster
- Travel expenses, or other expenses accrued, related to a recent natural disaster
- Asylum legal fees for those who have faced or fear persecution based on religion or sexual orientation, among other criteria, if they return to their country of origin
- Extra travel costs associated with the White House travel ban
- Legal and/or health fees for victims of sexual assault and violence
Emergency Loan Fund
The Emergency Loan Fund is open to DACAmented to TPS students struggling with severe financial hardship for which they have an immediate need for financial assistance may request an emergency loan from Campus Wellness and Crisis Intervention (CWCI). CWCI may approve loans of up to $250 per student. For loans larger than $250, upper administration will review the request.
Annenberg Student Emergency Aid Fund
Student Emergency Aid Awards are distributed to students experiencing unforeseen circumstances and emergencies impacting their’ ability to pay tuition or cover everyday living expenses. Awards will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards are given in the form of a one-time stipend.
Scholarships and Internships
External Scholarship Resource Guides
Immigrants Rising Scholarship Fund
External Scholarship List
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellowship
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund – SALEF fulfilling our dreams fund
Google Lime Scholarship Program
Pepsi Cesar Chavez Latino Scholarship
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
Bertha Wolf – Rosenthal Foundation Fund for Community Service Stipend
Ofield Dukes Multicultural Students Award – for minority students majoring in
public relations
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship – for students majoring in public health, medicine,
and/or related fields
Microsoft Corporations Scholarships – for STEM related majors
Ted Rollins Eco Scholarship – for students whose major is related to sustainability
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)
Hispanic Education Endowment Fund
External Graduate Fellowships/Scholarships
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship For New Americans
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute – CHCI Public Policy Fellowship
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute – CHCI Graduate Fellowship Program
HACU National Internship Program
MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
Immigrants Rising Entrepreneurship Fund