PDP Funding & Scholarships
Funding
The Financial Aid Office determines aid eligibility based on a student’s class level. A progressive degree student transitions from undergraduate to graduate class level as soon as one of the following conditions is met:
- The bachelor’s degree is conferred; or
- The student is awarded a graduate research or teaching assistantship as contracted through the academic department and the Graduate School
When planning their coursework, students should remember the following:
- Students must remain enrolled full-time in courses that count toward the undergraduate degree.
- The undergraduate degree must be the focus and priority, but students may take graduate-level courses in addition to undergraduate classes.
For more information about how the Progressive Degree Program would affect your financial aid status, please visit the Financial Aid website for further details.
Scholarships
Scholarship Details
USC Viterbi is pleased to offer merit-based scholarships to admitted PDP applicants. On average, there will be up to 5 PDP scholarship recipients selected each semester. Awarded scholarship amounts are non-renewable with a value up to $10,000. The scholarship value awarded is to be used for tuition purposes solely.
Eligibility & How to Apply
PDP Scholarships are open to USC undergraduates who are in-process of applying to the Viterbi PDP. To apply for this scholarship, please follow the steps below:
- Submit an application for admission into the Viterbi Progressive Degree Program (PDP).
- Complete and submit the PDP Scholarship Application form.
- Once the scholarship application window closes, you will be sent an email inviting you to complete a video interview for the scholarship. The video interview must be completed and submitted within one week of receiving the interview invitation.
When to Apply for the Scholarship?
Scholarship applicants must submit the application for the PDP scholarship after formally submitting an application for admission into Viterbi PDP. Students are only eligible to apply to for the PDP scholarship in the semester in which they are applying for PDP. Successful and unsuccessful applications will be notified of both admission and scholarship decisions within two months of the deadline.
| Term | Scholarship Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | September 25 |
| Spring | February 25 (Applications will open soon) |
Please note: It is the student's responsibility to determine the impact (if any) that a scholarship award may have on one's financial aid. Consultation with the Financial Aid Office is recommended prior to accepting any scholarship awards presented.

