Dear Applicant:

Please read this information section in its entirety prior to completing your USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship application. This section includes information about the USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship, instructions for filling out the appropriate application, selection criteria, eligibility requirements, and expectations for all scholarship recipients.

About the USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship
The USC Latino Alumni Association provides partial tuition aid grants to students that are currently attending or will be attending the University of Southern California for the 2012-2013 academic year. The scholarship is for students pursing Undergraduate and Graduate degrees at USC who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Latino/Hispanic community. Students must be enrolled full-time in order to be eligible for the scholarship. In order to be considered full-time, undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 units per semester with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and graduate students must complete a minimum of 8 units per semester with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $5000 per academic year for undergraduate students and $1000 to $5000 per academic year for graduate students.

The intent of this program is to supplement the financial aid received by the applicant. A student must apply and be eligible for other financial aid resources (CSS Profile Registration and Application, FAFSA, USC Financial Aid, student loans, college work-study, etc.). The applicant’s financial aid status is determined by the USC Financial Aid Office. The need assessment and the financial aid package are evaluated to determine the amount of assistance that can be provided by the USC Latino Alumni Association. If a student is awarded, the scholarship will alleviate part of a subsidized loan (i.e. Subsidized Stafford, Perkins, Gate loan) or work-study in the student’s financial aid package for the academic year.

USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship application instructions

Please be sure to complete the appropriate scholarship application.

• If you are an incoming freshman, incoming transfer student, or a continuing USC undergraduate student who has never been awarded the USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship, please fill out the New Scholar Application.
• If you are a continuing USC undergraduate student and have previously been awarded the USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship, please fill out the Former and Continuing Scholar Application. If you have received the scholarship in the past, please fill out this application, even if you were not awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year.
• If you are a graduate student, please fill out the Graduate Student Application, regardless whether you have previously been awarded the scholarship or not.

The applicant is responsible for providing the following items:

• A completed USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship application form. Make sure you answer all items. Thoroughness and neatness of the application are important. An incomplete application will not be reviewed by the Committee. 
• Submit a typed essay of no more than two pages, doubled spaced. Refer to your appropriate scholarship application for details of what should be included in your essay. Please note: the essay is different for new applicants than it is for continuing and former scholars. Continuing scholars may include in the essay their participation in any USC Latino Alumni Association activities. Provide a brief description as to how this participation has been significant in your development as a student.
• A resume is a required part of the USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship application. Please include your resume with this application. If you need any assistance with your resume, please consult the Career Center (http://careers.usc.edu/students/handouts/) as a resource.
• Two original letters of recommendation are required from new applicants. Graduate applicants and undergraduate former scholarship recipients are only required to provide one letter of recommendation. The letter(s) of recommendation can be from professors, teachers, teacher’s assistants, work supervisors, community service supervisors, principals, school administrators, school counselors, advisors, etc. Please ensure that letters are on official stationery and are addressed to the USC Latino Alumni Association Scholarship Committee. The letter(s) must provide insightful information about you so the Scholarship Committee may properly evaluate your application.
• Unofficial transcripts are required for continuing USC graduate and undergraduate students, and for incoming transfer and graduate students. Incoming freshmen do not need to submit transcripts. Transcripts should include all college course work completed to date (including Fall 2011 grades). Spring 2012 grades will also be taken into consideration and may change the eligibility status of the applicant; therefore students whose grade point average may be below the requirement should still apply. Please note: Oasis and Stars reports will not be accepted for continuing USC students.

An application will be considered only after all items mentioned above have been provided. Submit the completed application with all required items to the USC Latino Alumni Programs office by the due date. All applications must be postmarked on or before Friday, March 30, 2012. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE!!!

Selection Criteria

Some of the factors considered in evaluating the application include:

• Completed Application
• Financial aid need
• Availability of other financial aid resources
• Grade point average (3.0 for undergraduate and graduate students)
• Current student loan obligations
• Community/University involvement
• The legibility, completeness, accuracy and quality of information provided in the application are taken into consideration when evaluating applicants. Please ensure that your application and its required items meet acceptable quality standards.

One of the expectations of the USC Latino Alumni Association is that upon graduation the scholarship recipients will become members of the Association. Therefore, special consideration is given to those students/recipients who are actively involved with the USC Office of Latino Alumni Programs and participate in the various USC Latino Alumni Association activities. A student who has received the scholarship in the past will be given priority consideration for an award. However, continuing USC Latino Alumni scholars must still submit a completed application package. THE USC LATINO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IS NOT OBLIGATED TO FUND ALL FORMER RECIPIENTS. All awarded students will receive notification of their award throughout the months July and August.  However, no regret letters will be sent.  All decisions by the Scholarship Committee are final and irrevocable.

Eligibility Requirements

• A completed USC Latino Alumni Association scholarship application
• A demonstrated commitment to the Latino community
• Demonstrated leadership
• Overall academic and professional promise
• Financial need and completed FAFSA, CSS Profile, and/or any other necessary financial aid documents
• Current full-time enrollment at USC and/or full-time enrollment during the 2011-2012 academic year. Potential incoming freshmen and incoming transfer students should apply even if not yet admitted into the university.
• Continuing USC undergraduate students and incoming transfer students must have completed 24 or more units for the 2011-2012 academic year with a G.P.A of 3.0 or better. Graduate students must have completed 16 units or more for the 2011-2012 academic year with a G.P.A of 3.0 or better.

USC Latino Alumni Scholar Requirements

• For those who are selected, 10 credits of volunteer service/involvement with USC Latino Alumni Association events will be required for the 2012-2013 academic year.
• Four hours dedicated to mentoring a high school student through the USC Latino Alumni Association LCAAP mentorship program is required in addition to the 10 required credits.
• USC Latino Alumni scholars must register with the Career Planning & Placement Center (http://careers.usc.edu).
• Undergraduate USC Latino Alumni scholars must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Graduate USC Latino Alumni scholars are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

If there are any questions, please call the USC Latino Alumni Programs Office at (213) 740-4735.