We suggest doing the FAFSA online because it is quicker and you are less likely to make mistakes. If you have any problems, contact the Federal Student Information Center.

Phone: 1-800-433-3243

If you must complete a paper FAFSA, you can download the 2024-25 FAFSA  and mail the paper copy to Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 70204, London, KY 40742-0204.

While you only need to do one FAFSA, you can pick multiple schools to get your FAFSA results. In the right section, please use our School Code — 003448 — so your FAFSA will be sent to us.

In this same section, you will also need to explain where you plan to live. Please note that USC requires all freshman students to live on campus.

When submitting your FAFSA online, you and your parent (if dependent) will need to sign the FAFSA with your FSA ID and provide consent. Learn more about the FSA ID.

If you did the FAFSA online and listed USC as one of your schools, your FAFSA results will be sent to our office in about 3-4 business days. If you did a paper FAFSA and mailed it, the U.S. Department of Education will send us your FAFSA after they process it. 

To be considered for all available aid, submit your FAFSA by April 1. A complete FAFSA status means that you have turned in all forms that we may have asked for and nothing else is needed. Check your student requirements on the Financial Aid Dashboard.

Please do your FAFSA no later than early March to meet the April 1 deadline.  If you miss this deadline, you will likely miss out on the priority awards that are awarded shortly after April 1. Pell Grant and Direct Loan funds are not priority awards.