Eligibility
Applicants for awards must be current or continuing USC and/or transfer students. They must be planning to enroll in full-time, undergraduate or graduate courses of study. The minimum cumulative G.P.A. for this scholarship is 2.5. Applicants should exemplify commitment and identification with, and the ability to contribute to the African-American community. Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic and personal merit, and demonstrated involvement within the African-American community.
Transfer students will be reviewed and selected after they have been admitted.
Effective for beginning Fall 2008: Incoming Freshman applicants will also be considered for the scholarship upon verification of admission to USC for the 2008-2009 school year.
Ineligible
Trustee Scholars and/or students receiving full tuition remission* are not eligible. Only students currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program are eligible. *
Application Procedure
Interested applicants may apply by completing the on-line BAA Scholarship Application, available on the USC BAA website a FAFSA form as early as December 14, 2007. All materials related to the BAA Scholarship Application must be received by the USC Office of Black Alumni Programs on February 22, 2008 by 5:00 PM (No Exceptions).
Once the BAA Scholarship Committee has concluded the application and interview process and selected the scholarship recipients for the upcoming academic year, all applicants will be notified via e-mail the outcome of being selected as a Black Alumni Scholar.
Terms of Disbursement
Awards will be made at the beginning of each semester in equal installments upon completion of requirements.
Selection
The USC BAA Scholarship Committee shall select the scholarship recipients. For selection purposes, applicants shall be ranked by the committee according to a combination of academic promise (as determined by transcript and/or college G.P.A.) and financial need (as determined by analysis of the information presented on the FAFSA and tax forms). The applicants with the highest rankings will be advanced to phase II for interviews. Receipt or potential receipt of other scholarships or student financial aid may be considered in the selection process.
Amount of Award
The amount of the annual award varies from $500.00 to $3000.00 and is finalized prior to the start of the new academic year. Black Alumni Scholars will be notified via e-mail of the amount of BAA award as well as the posting status of the award to his/her account.
Award Notification
The Office of Black Alumni Programs shall send to the recipients a notice of selection specifying the terms of the award. Recipients shall be known as a "Black Alumni Scholar" and shall sign and return one copy of the award notice, acknowledging the terms and certifying that the funds will be applied to tuition expenses only. IMPORTANT NOTE: As with other university scholarships, the amount of your award is tentative until approved by the USC Office of Financial Aid. If you have already reached the maximum level of scholarships and grants that you may accept, your award will be reduced or redirected to another qualified student.
Disbursements
Awards are posted to student accounts in equal disbursements for each academic term or semester. GPA and volunteer service hours are confirmed each semester.
Refunds
Refunds resulting from a student's failure to complete a full study period shall be returned to the BAA fund. Monies available from refunded disbursements shall be used only for future awards.
Volunteer Hour Requirements
Black Alumni Scholars shall complete twenty (20) volunteer service hours (ten (10) hours per semester) for the USC Black Alumni Association and/or the Office of Black Alumni Programs in order to receive disbursements throughout the year or to be considered for renewal or re-instatement. The Black Alumni Scholar's failure to complete the required twenty (20) volunteer service hours by the conclusion of a given academic year will result in the Scholar reimbursing the BAA the scholarship fund(s) that he/she was awarded.
Other Requirements
Black Alumni Scholars are expected to attend two (2) events during a given academic year, one during the Fall semester, the other during the Spring semester. Additionally, Scholars are required to provide the Office of Black Alumni Programs with any changes in his/her academic status, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.
Renewal Process
The award is for the academic year 2008-2009. Each renewal candidate must complete a BAA Scholarship Application and file a FAFSA form as early as December 14, 2007. Past scholarship recipients and their awards are not guaranteed, however, prior scholarship recipients are given additional consideration.
Reinstatement
Former awardees who voluntarily withdraw or who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress according to award standards may be considered for a BAA award within one year of the date of withdrawal or suspension by completing the award application.
Administration
The BAA Scholarship Committee shall be responsible for the selection of recipients. Disbursements of scholarship funds to recipients are handled by OBAP. The Office of Black Alumni Programs shall maintain a complete and accurate record of the scholarships awarded.
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