USC shared via email Thursday that it will discontinue the Academic Achievement Award (AAA) and Exceptional Funding starting Fall 2024.
“If you rely on this funding stream to achieve your degree objectives, it may be wise to reassess your chosen majors/minors,” the email read.
This current decision comes just days after the University decided to increase its tuition by 4.9%, pushing the cost of attendance to $95,225.
Students pursuing multiple degrees with at least a sophomore standing qualified for the tuition benefit of taking up to 21 units at the standard tuition rate of a full-time student through the AAA.
The website for this program can now be found on an internet archive; using the old link will redirect to a mostly blank page and a 2021 application event. There is no area for submission of new applications nor context for future steps.
Similarly, for students pursuing multiple degrees, the Exceptional Funding program covers more than 18 units during the respective fall and spring semesters and/or eight units max for summer.
“We assess our programs on an ongoing basis to ensure we are providing the best support for the largest number of students,” the Office of Academic Programs wrote in a statement to Annenberg Media. “USC continues to offer an exceptional range of resources to support academics. Students should consult with their advisors to get information about available opportunities.”
They confirmed over email that around 2% of undergraduates qualify for AAA, that is at least 400 students. This decision has left many students disappointed, especially those trying to complete two majors in a span of just four years.
“My academic plan was made with AAA. If I want to graduate [now], I have to go more in debt,” said Coby Russo, a sophomore studying public relations and theater. “I can’t graduate with my double major in 4 years without [the AAA scholarship.]”
In addition to Russo, other students claim that they did not receive the email and instead found out via social media. Upon reaching out to the university asking whether the email was sent out to the entire student body, the Office of Academic Programs confirmed the information was relayed first to academic advisors who then shared with impacted students.
“With the information that we do know it is disappointing to see a program that has helped students with their academic endeavors come to an end,” said Bryan Fernandez and Brianna Sanchez emphasizing this is their opinion as students in a statement to Annenberg Media.
However, in their role as USG president and vice president elect, the duo would like to speak to students to gauge how this will impact the community.
“We will definitely keep the opinion of students at the forefront of our advocacy work.” they continued.
Currently a change.org petition circulating among USC undergraduate students is calling on the administration to “reconsider their decision but also ensure that all current students who had factored AAA into their plans receive the opportunity to apply for the funds they were promised.”
The petition was started anonymously and at the time of publishing had 1401 signatures; it urges students to email the USC Board of Trustees in response to the decision.
“USC prides itself in these opportunities,” said Klarrisa Palacios, a sophomore studying law, history and culture, and consumer behavior. “But by taking away the academic honors fellowship and the Academic Achievement Award, it directly negates that statement.”