Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Asian Pacific Alumni Association (APAA) scholarship the same as the Asian Pacific American Support Group Scholarship?
Yes. The APAA was formerly known as the APASG. These scholarships are one and the same.

When is the deadline to apply for the scholarship?
Deadlines for APAA Scholarships are generally in mid-April each year. Please refer the application for the exact deadline date. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all supporting materials (i.e. transcript and letters of recommendation) are submitted by the stated deadline.

Who is eligible to apply for APAA scholarships?
You must be a full-time student enrolled at USC for the entire academic year that you are applying for a scholarship. Incoming, transfer, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Each individual named scholarship have various eligibility requirements, please refer to the application for details.

What documents do I need to submit to the USC Financial Aid Office?
All APAA scholarship applicants must apply and subsequently qualify to receive financial aid from the University through the USC Financial Aid Office. The application process, forms and deadlines vary depending on your class standing. Please visit the Financial Aid Office website at http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/ for complete details. You do not need to submit these forms with your APAA application, they should be submitted directly to the Financial Aid Office. Please note the APAA Scholarship application have different deadline than the Financial Aid Office.

When will I be notified about the status of my application?
A select number of applicants will be called in for interviews with the scholarship committee approximately four weeks after the deadline date. Applicants will be notified in early May regarding the decisions made by the scholarship committee.

Who should I ask to submit a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
One letter of recommendation should come from an individual who is familiar with your academic work while another letter should come from an individual who is familiar with your involvement in community organizations. There are two printed recommendation forms that can be found in the application booklet.

Do I have to reapply for the APAA scholarships each year?
Yes, all applicants must reapply to receive a scholarship each year. Being the recipient of the award for one year does not guarantee that you will receive an award the following year.

I am currently receiving a full-ride scholarship from USC, can I still apply for an APAA Scholarship?
No, if you are currently a Trustee Scholar or have already received scholarships from USC that result in a zero tuition balance, you are not eligible to receive additional funds from the APAA.

What is the size of the scholarship awards?
Award amounts vary from $1,000 to $3,000 per student. The amount of the award will vary based on the individually named scholarship and the merit of each student’s application.

How will I receive the funds?
Scholarships are applied directly into your financial aid package with the USC Financial Aid Office. You will not receive a check.