USC is far larger (18,000+) than the other private universities in the Top 25. Cornell is the only other private with enrollment above 10,000 and Cornell is part public land grant. The difference in size distorts statistics based on averages across all 18,000 students, but the top third of USC students compare favorably to the top 6,000 at ANY other Top 25 national university. USC is also the most diverse Top 25 school and the merit aid surely contributes to that as does the fact that a USC has more students from abroad than any other school in the country.

USC is the highest ranked school that still gives a substantial scholarship (half-tuition for all 4 years even if tuition goes up) to National Merit Finalists. Most schools below the top 50 give substantial merit aid, but most of the top 50 schools do not, under the theory that all of their students are meritorious and they would rather base aid on financial need.

Does anyone know of schools other than USC that are in the top 50 and give substantial merit scholarships?

This is good information on USC's merit scholarships - generous, but not many available:

http://dornsife.usc.edu/trustee-presidential-deans-scholarships

Anonymous wrote:USC at columbia campus will provide merit aid for unweighted GPA > 3.5 and SAT > 1250. Effectively giving in state tuition rates plus a few thousand.

VA state schools are out of touch for students from northern virginia with those academics, at least for VT, UVA, JMU, WM

I'm thinking you mean South Carolina, not Southern CA which is what the OP asked about, since USC is a private school and doesn't have in state rates.

University of Southern California (private) not U of S. Carolina!

USC at columbia campus will provide merit aid for unweighted GPA > 3.5 and SAT > 1250. Effectively giving in state tuition rates plus a few thousand.

VA state schools are out of touch for students from northern virginia with those academics, at least for VT, UVA, JMU, WM

All of the Ivies and top schools offer need-based financial aid. They do not offer merit-based aid. Sounds like USC might offer some merit-based aid to be competitive with the top schools.

Has anyone had any experience with University of Southern California and scholarship or merit monies? An acquaintance mentioned that they are more generous (bigger endowment?) than many schools. Schools that have serious endowments state that they students do not do loans (i.e., Princeton, Stanford, etc). I question that.

Anyway, anyone with insight about USC's financial aid, please share.