Tuition and Fees (Estimated), Fall 2019

Tuition is payable in advance unless special arrangements are made for deferred payments as described below. Tuition is the same for resident and nonresident students. Registration is completed when the bill has been settled.

Auditors pay the regular tuition rate. Auditors are not required to participate in class exercises (discussions and examinations); they receive no grades or credit and there is no transcript notation of courses taken for audit. An instructor, dean or university officer may give permission to an individual to attend a class as a guest. Otherwise, attendance in class is limited to enrolled students.

These fees are based upon current information available at the time of publication and are subject to possible later change. The university reserves the right to change without notice any of the terms stated herein.

The number of units for which tuition is charged is indicated by the number in parentheses after the title of each course listed under Courses of Instruction.

Tuition (semester), (Estimated)

Mandatory Fees (Estimated)

Student Health Insurance (on campus students)

Special Fees (Estimated)

Late Registration and Late Settlement Fees

Registration is not permitted after the third week of classes.

The university currently assesses a monthly finance charge on all past due balances. The current annual rate is 12 percent, subject to change.

A “returned check charge” of $25 is assessed for a check or e-check returned by the bank for any reason. Under California Civil Code #1719, a returned check may create a liability for treble (three times) the amount owed, but not less than $100. Any returned items will void outstanding deferments, making all balances due in full immediately. The university may, at its option, cancel enrollment of any student whose check is returned unpaid by the bank. If the university does not exercise this option, the student will be responsible for all tuition and fees incurred. Students and parents should be aware that non-local checks may be held by the bank for the maximum time allowed by law. Please allow ample time for non-local funds to be made available by the date payment is due.

Obligation for Payment

Request for registration constitutes a legal financial obligation to which students will be held liable if they do not follow the proper procedure to change or cancel their registration through the Office of Academic Records and Registrar. They must receive written confirmation (the Registration Confirmation form) to verify that their requested change has been made.

By registering, students agree to be held responsible for all tuition and fees, including, but not limited to, payments denied by student loan lenders, agencies of the United States government, and agencies of foreign governments.

Tuition and fees for all students, including those whose tuition has been deferred, become an obligation in accordance with the provisions of the Withdrawal Refund Policy as follows: Tuition and fees are due, in full, by the settlement deadline. Failure to make payments of any indebtedness to the university when due, including but not limited to tuition, deferred tuition, housing, student loans, lab fees and USCard, is considered sufficient cause, until the debt is settled with the university to (1) bar the student from classes and examinations; (2) withhold diploma, scholastic certificate or transcripts; (3) bar the student from university housing; (4) suspend all university services and privileges; (5) suspend the student; (6) assign the student to a collection agency (students who have been assigned to an outside collection agency may be required to pay in advance for all future registrations and services); and (7) report the student to a credit bureau. This policy will be equally enforced against debts discharged through bankruptcy.

Permission to cancel enrollment does not constitute, nor shall it be construed as, a waiver by the university of a student’s financial obligation. Students are still responsible for all outstanding debts and contracts with the university. Furthermore, a student must not have any delinquent financial obligations to USC at the time classes begin or his or her registration may be revoked.

For additional information please contact the Cashier’s Office, Student Union 106 (STU 106), (213) 740-7471.

Methods of Payment

You may pay your bill online (sfs.usc.edu/epay), by mail or in person. If you are paying by mail, be sure to mail your payment early enough for the university to receive it by the settlement deadline.

USCe.pay allows you to manage your student account online. You can pay your tuition and fees by transferring funds from your savings or checking account, or by charging to your VISA, MasterCard or Discover card (subject to a $10,000 limit per term). You can also print e-receipts and view your billing statements or current account information. In addition, you can set up individual guest user access for parents or anyone else you choose so they can make payments on your account. For more information, visit sfs.usc.edu/epay. To access your USCe.pay account, log in to myUSC (my.usc.edu) and select the USCe.pay link.

In fall and spring semesters, USC offers a monthly payment plan. An application must be made each term after the student has registered for classes but before the settlement deadline.

More detailed information about student accounts, settlement options and procedures is available at sfs.usc.edu.

VISA/MasterCard and Discover Card (subject to a $10,000 limit per term)

You should present the credit card (and parent’s written authorization if the card is not in your name) as well as a valid driver’s license. Presentation of any credit card does not constitute payment of tuition and fees. Authorization must be obtained from the credit card institution in order to be posted to the student account. Declined authorizations are your responsibility. If a bank card transaction is later disallowed by the bank for any reason, the student account will be subject to the “Returned Item” penalties in accordance with the returned item policy.

Financial Aid

Financial aid recipients will have most of their available financial aid (such as scholarships, grants, loans and graduate assistantship tuition awards) applied to their university accounts each semester as direct credits against their total charges. Federal and state aid such as Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Cal Grants, Direct Loans and Direct PLUS Loans are applied to student accounts no sooner than 10 days before the first day of classes for the term. Students must complete all application steps and meet all disbursement requirements before funds will be applied to their accounts. For details, visit financialaid.usc.edu.

Federal Work-Study awards are not reflected as credits on a student’s account. These awards are earned through employment, either on-campus or with an approved off-campus employer. The student is paid by check or direct deposit bi-weekly for hours worked and may earn up to the amount of the Federal Work-Study award under the program.

Billing Information

Monthly billing notifications on all active student accounts are emailed to the student’s official USC email address (ends in @usc.edu) and to their designated guest users. USC does not mail printed statements to currently enrolled students.

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, university representatives will not disclose any specific information about a student’s account to any third party (including family members) without the student’s permission. Information about granting permission is available on the Student Financial Services Website for parents and sponsors (sfs.usc.edu/epay/).

Although the university will accept payments from a third party, the student is responsible for settling all debts to the university by the appropriate deadlines.

Refund of Tuition

Tuition is refundable entirely at the discretion of the university. Refunds will be computed as of the date on which a student cancels or drops a course through the Registration Department. Request for a refund must be made to the Cashier’s Office.

Refunds for the regular/general 12- to 15-week fall or spring session are made through the end of the third week of classes (the refund deadline). No refunds are issued for classes canceled after the deadline.

If you are enrolled in any other fall or spring session, or if you are enrolled in the summer, a different refund deadline may apply. Verify the refund deadline for a specific course on the USC Schedule of Classes by clicking the calendar icon that appears next to the course.

If students receive Title IV federal financial aid funds (Pell Grant, SEOG, Federal Direct [Stafford] Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan) and withdraw from all classes after the refund deadline, they may be required to return any “unearned” Title IV federal financial aid, even if they are not entitled to a refund of tuition. Refer to Withdrawal Implications for Recipients of Financial Aid  for more information.

Tuition Refund Insurance

Elective insurance is available that provides full coverage for tuition and mandatory fees (excluding health insurance) for you if you suffer a serious illness or accident that makes it necessary for you to leave the university before the semester is completed.

What Tuition Refund Insurance Covers

The insurance covers 100 percent of the tuition and mandatory fees (excluding the student health insurance fee) for the semester if a student withdraws from all classes due to injury or sickness. For withdrawals from all classes due to a psychological or emotional condition (as defined in the DSM-IV manual), the coverage is 80 percent. The plan covers payments made directly by the student, loans, grants or scholarships. USC grants and scholarships are credited back to the university and loans may be credited back to the lender as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

By default, at the time you register, Web Registration will enroll you in Tuition Refund Insurance. This will result in a charge equal to approximately .40 of 1 percent of your tuition and mandatory fees, which will be added to your student account.

If you wish to remove Tuition Refund Insurance after you have registered, you may make the change on Web Registration (my.usc.edu and webreg.usc.edu) by clicking the Tuition Refund Insurance tab and following the prompts. You may decline tuition refund insurance up until the end of week three of the fall or spring semester or the week three equivalent in special sessions or by June 20 for the summer semester.

The Tuition Refund Plan is offered through a private insurance carrier, A.W.G. Dewars, Inc. (collegerefund.com). Further information and application brochures are available from the Cashier’s Office and Academic Records and Reegistrar. Information is also available online at arr.usc.edu/services/registration/tuitionrefund.html.

Exit Loan Counseling

All students who borrowed a Direct Loan or Direct Graduate PLUS Loan must complete exit loan counseling when they graduate, withdraw or are no longer enrolled at least half time. Exit loan counseling is a two-part requirement for borrowers of Direct and/or Direct Graduate PLUS loans. First, a borrower must complete online exit loan counseling at studentloans.gov. This online process takes about 20 minutes and requires students to update their contact information with the U.S. Department of Education. Second, a borrower must also participate in an in-person exit loan counseling information session or an exit loan counseling webinar. Information and schedules for in-person exit loan counseling and webinars is available online at financialaid.usc.edu at the end of each semester.

Students who have borrowed a Health Professions Student Loan, Loans for Disadvantaged Students, Primary Care Loan or any academic loan, must complete an online session at heartlandecsi.com. Diplomas and transcripts will not be released if the student does not complete exit loan counseling.

Tuition Assistance Benefits

The Tuition Assistance Benefits program provides USC tuition payments for eligible faculty and staff and their spouses or registered domestic partners and children. The amount of tuition payment varies based on who is taking the class, the type of class and the maximum number of units eligible for assistance. Tuition assistance is limited to tuition, and does not apply to any fees or books. See the Tuition Assistance Benefits Program document available online at benefits.usc.edu for complete information about eligibility and requirements.

Tuition assistance eligibility does not guarantee the student admission to the university. The prospective student must apply for university admission through the USC Admission Office.

Only those USC classes for which a student may register and receive a registration confirmation are eligible for Tuition Assistance Benefits. Special education programs, seminars, certificate programs and other classes not listed in the USC Catalogue are not eligible for tuition remission.

An employee must be employed by the university in a tuition-benefits-eligible position on or before the first day of classes in the semester for which application is made. Please note that the “first day of classes” refers to the first day classes are in session for the semester, not the first day the specific class in which the student is enrolled meets. Conversely, the “end of the semester,” refers to the last day classes are in session for the semester, not the last day the specific class in which the student is enrolled meets. This includes the summer semester, which has different “sessions” but still has very specific semester start and end dates (see Academic Calendar). A student who receives tuition assistance is responsible for payment of a prorated amount of tuition assistance if certain changes in employment status of the employee or sponsoring employee occur during the semester. General information about the tax liability for certain types of tuition assistance is included in the policy. Application forms for tuition assistance may be found on the Benefits Website at benefits.usc.edu by clicking the icon “Forms” and then “Tuition Assistance Application Forms.” For additional information, contact the HR Service Center at (213) 821-8100 or uschr@usc.edu.

Cancellations

Defined as complete withdrawal from the semester or session, cancellation refunds are computed based on the date the application to cancel enrollment is presented to the Registration Department.

Drops

Drops are defined as withdrawal from one class or part of registration. The refund schedule applies as of the date the drop is processed by the Registration Department.

This policy is enforced equally for settled and unsettled registrations.

Financing Alternatives

Prepayment Program (PP)

This option offers individuals the opportunity to stabilize tuition costs by avoiding future tuition increases. Under this plan, the university will accept the prepayment of the student’s total USC tuition plus mandatory fees at the current tuition rate for up to the next four or five years. The student must be admitted to the university before establishing a prepayment account. For further information, contact Student Financial Services at (213) 740-4077 or visit our Website at sfs.usc.edu.

USC Payment Plan

The USC Payment Plan, administered by Student Financial Services, enables students and parents to pay tuition, fees and university housing and meal plan charges in monthly installments rather than in a single payment at the beginning of each semester. Payments are made over a five-month period for each semester, beginning August 1 for the fall semester and January 1 for the spring semester, and may be made only by electronic transfer. A trimester plan is offered to law, dental and MBA-PM, MS marketing and nursing students. There is a small application fee each semester. The student must be in good financial standing at the university. For further information, contact Student Financial Services, (213) 740-4077 or by email at uscsfs@usc.edu. You are able to set up a payment plan by login on USCe.pay. For more information, please visit our Website at sfs.usc.edu.

Private and Federal Financing

USC participates in a number of long-term financing options that are available to all families regardless of eligibility for scholarships or financial aid. These programs can relieve students’ and families’ cash-flow restrictions and enable them to meet their expected contributions for the cost of college education. Information about loan programs is available online at financialaid.usc.edu or at the USC Financial Aid Office.

Student Health Insurance

Please visit usc.edu/studenthealth for 2019-2020 student health insurance rates. The university requires that all students have supplemental health insurance to help cover the cost of health care that cannot be obtained at the health center, especially in emergency situations where hospitalization may be required.

All domestic students carrying 6 units or more will be automatically enrolled in the USC student health insurance plan. Some class registration codes, for example Special Tuition programs, do not generate this automatic charge. All students are required to review their fee bill after registering for classes and if the automatic insurance charge does not appear, must contact the insurance office by the add date to enroll in this plan if they wish to continue coverage for the semester. Domestic students carrying less than 6 units or who drop classes before the add date resulting in enrollment in less than 6 units, must enroll themselves in the plan by the add date if they wish to continue coverage for the semester. All international and/or health sciences students are automatically enrolled in the USC student health insurance plan regardless of the number of units in which they are enrolled. Off campus students studying online or at a satellite campus will also be enrolled in the USC student health insurance plan if they are carrying 6 units or more.

The USC student health insurance plan works in conjunction with the university’s student health centers. All students studying on the UPC or HSC campus are assessed the mandatory student health center fee (which is a separate fee from the health insurance) and are required to access their primary care at the student health centers. Referrals are required in order to see providers outside the student health centers for non-emergency situations.

Waiver Requirements

Enrollment in the USC student health plan will only be waived and the premium charge removed from the fee bill if documented proof of health coverage from another plan is presented using the online waiver application by the deadline date. Please visit usc.edu/studenthealth to get the deadline date. In order to receive a waiver of the USC student health insurance, the insurance presented must meet certain criteria. For details about the waiver criteria, please visit usc.edu/studenthealth and see the insurance menu.

Waivers are submitted online at the Aetna Student Health Website. Go to aetnastudenthealth.com to complete the waiver process. For more information, call USC Student Health at (213) 740-WELL (9355).

Graduate Assistants

Graduate assistants with a .25 award or higher and PhD students may be eligible to have USC pay for the USC student health plan and the USC Student Health fee. Their assistantship award must show in the student financial detail system. More information is available in the student’s award packet through his or her academic department.

Student Health Insurance for Students Studying Overseas

Students participating in USC-sponsored study abroad programs are required to have USC health insurance coverage. These students are automatically enrolled in the USC overseas studies health insurance plan unless they are enrolled in the USC health plan. For more information, please call the Student Insurance Office at (213) 740-0551.

Student Dental Plan (Optional)

Dental coverage for students is available for purchase and billed to the student’s account. Dental coverage is optional and is not automatic. Coverage is for the entire year and must be purchased by the deadline in the fall. Please see usc.edu/studenthealth for details. Spring enrollment will only be allowed for new incoming students in the spring semester. Plan details are available at usc.edu/studenthealth.

Veterans’ Benefits

Veterans must register with the Veterans Certification Office each semester in order to receive benefits. Students may expect an educational allowance based only on courses that are a legitimate part of the degree program approved for veterans. The student must notify the Veterans Certification Office immediately upon any change in unit load or change of major. The office is located in the Veterans Resource Center in the Tutor Campus Center, Room 330, (213) 740-4619, FAX: (213) 821-3760. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday. For more information, visit our Website at usc.edu/va.

Students may visit gibill.va.gov for more information regarding GI Bill Educational and Vocational Rehabilitation Assistance.

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC)

The Department of Naval Science courses are structured primarily for those who are participating in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) but are open to all undergraduate students. The NROTC program eventually leads to a commission as an officer in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps. Most NROTC midshipmen at USC are the recipients of national scholarships earned through competition while seniors in high school. These scholarships pay full tuition, fees, a book stipend and a $250 to $400 monthly subsistence stipend to help defray living expenses. The university also provides an additional automatic scholarship of $4,000 per year for each NROTC scholarship recipient to help pay for living expenses. Navy/Marine Corps scholarships are also available on a competition basis to students who enroll directly in the NROTC college program at the university. College program students receive no NROTC financial aid until they are selected for a scholarship, qualified medically, and meet naval body composition and fitness standards. College program students who are not selected for a scholarship may apply for advanced standing status during their sophomore year, which enables them to continue in the program and makes them eligible to receive a subsistence stipend beginning in their junior year. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree and NROTC requirements, scholarship and advanced standing students are commissioned as active duty Ensigns in the U.S. Navy or as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps, and proceed to advanced training in the Navy Officer communities of aviation, submarines, surface ships, and naval special warfare or Marine Corps Military Occupational specialties such as aviation, infantry, intelligence, artillery, etc. For specific information, contact the Department of Naval Science at (213) 740-2663 or visit usc.edu/dept/nrotc.

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)

The Department of Aerospace Studies and the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is open to all students pursuing a degree at USC. The open enrollment classes consist of one hour of academics for AEST 100a , AEST 100b  and AEST 200a , AEST 200b , and three hours of academics for AEST 300a , AEST 300b  and AEST 400a , AEST 400b . Additionally, the Department of Aerospace Studies offers Leadership Laboratory courses. Prerequisites to enroll in Leadership Laboratory include enrollment in at least one AEST course, and application to become an AFROTC cadet. Students who are dual-enrolled as AFROTC cadets receive competitive opportunities to travel to various leadership symposia and professional development opportunities during the academic year and over the summer. AFROTC offers a variety of scholarships, some of which pay the full cost of tuition, books and fees. AFROTC cadets on scholarship and all juniors and seniors receive a monthly tax-free stipend and a textbook allowance. The university also provides an additional automatic scholarship of $4,000 per year for each AFROTC scholarship recipient to help pay for living expenses. The USC Price School of Public Policy offers an additional scholarship for classes in excess of 18 units per semester. Upon successful completion of AFROTC academic classes and leadership laboratories, students will qualify for a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. For more information, you may visit our Website at priceschool.usc.edu/programs/afrotc/ or contact the Department of Aerospace Studies (AFROTC) by email at AFROTCDET060@rotc.usc.edu or by phone at (213) 740-2670. 

Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC)

Army Reserve Officer Training Corps is one of the most demanding and successful leadership programs in the country. The training a student receives in Army ROTC teaches leadership development, military skills and career training. Courses take place both in the classroom and in the field, and are mixed with normal academic studies. Students may also attend additional summer programs, such as Airborne School. Upon completion, an Army ROTC graduate earns a commission as an officer starting out as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. The USC Army ROTC program has a limited number of full-tuition scholarships for full-time undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarships are offered on a competitive basis to all qualified applicants and are not based on financial need. Students (cadets) may compete for active duty, U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard duty. All cadets receive a monthly stipend based on his or her academic year and a book stipend per semester. The university also provides an additional automatic scholarship of $4,000 per year for each AROTC scholarship recipient to help pay for living expenses. The USC Price School of Public Policy offers an additional scholarship for classes in excess of 18 units per semester. All enrolled cadets receive uniforms, military science textbooks and any other required items from the department. Students may select any major offered by the university. Prior to the completion of their degree and commissioning, students will choose from the 17 different career fields (branches) the U.S. Army has to offer. Veterans, Reservists and National Guard members and AROTC graduates qualify for advanced placement. For further information, visit the Army ROTC office located in the Physical Education Building, Room 110, call (213) 740-1850 or visit the Website at uscrotc.com.