Prospective and Newly Admitted Students
There are a very limited number of Cinematic Arts scholarships available to incoming students.
Graduate Applicants who complete the application for admission by the admission deadline will be asked to complete a School of Cinematic Arts Scholarship application. Scholarship decisions for newly admitted graduate students will be rendered on the merits of the scholarship application, the student's application for admission to the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and/or financial need as determined by the USC Office of Financial Aid. In some cases, interviews may be required.
At this time, the School of Cinematic Arts does not offer scholarships for Newly Admitted Undergraduate students as many of our scholarships require current enrollment and samples of work produced at the School of Cinematic Arts. Students will have an opportunity to apply for scholarships in the Spring semester of each year, please see the section below for more details.
The University maintains a number of prestigious scholarship programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. To learn more about the various programs and application procedures, please visit the USC Financial Aid Scholarship web page.
A full list of university sponsored awards can also be found here.
Current School of Cinematic Arts Students
The School of Cinematic Arts offers numerous scholarships to Cinematic Arts majors who have completed at least one semester in their degree program. Unfortunately, scholarships are not available for students in the Cinematic Arts minor programs. A separate application is required for the Cinematic Arts scholarships, and is available to currently enrolled students at the beginning of the spring semester for the following academic year. Competition for scholarships is significant. Recipients are selected on academic merit and/or financial need.
USC School of Cinematic Arts Endowed Scholarships
Below is a listing of many of the scholarships offered by the School of Cinematic Arts. In addition to these awards, additional scholarships may be available in any given year. Please refer to the information above for information on being considered for these scholarships.
Gene Autry Fund for Student Support
Need-based award available to all Cinematic Arts students
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Family Endowment Fund for the Support of Producing
Awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated the skills and qualifications to excel as a creative producer.
James Bridges Scholarship
Awarded to graduate students in the Division of Film & Television Production for excellence in directing.
Dana & Albert Broccoli Foundation Scholarship
Distinguished scholar award available for graduate students in Production
Thomas B. Bush Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to undergraduate or graduate Production students for excellence in cinematography
Johnny Carson Endowed Student Support Fund
Awarded for academic merit to students in the Division of Film and Television Production, with primary consideration given to students who originate from the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area or the communities surrounding the University of Southern California.
Cinema Circulus Scholarship
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for academic excellence
Gary Cooper Endowed Fund for Student Support
Awarded to students from under-represented ethnic backgrounds with primary consideration given to American Indian students
Barbara Corday Endowed Fund for Student Support
Awarded to graduate Production students studying dramatic episodic writing with priority consideration given to female students from underrepresented minorities with financial need.
Pierre Cossette Endowed Fund for Student Support
Need-based award available to all undergraduate Cinematic Arts students
Arthur Cruickshank Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to Production cinematography students studying special photographic effects
George Cukor Scholarship
Awarded to graduate students in the Division of Critical Studies
Frank Daniel Endowment Fund
Available to students in the Division of Writing for Screen & Television
Joseph Drown/Tania Trepanier Foundation Endowed Award
Awarded to graduate students whose work demonstrates self awareness, compassion and a commitment to advancing humanistic values
Electronic Arts/William J. Byron Endowed Fund for Student Support
Available to current students from diverse ethnic and gender backgrounds who are enrolled in Interactive Media with an emphasis in games
Electronic Arts Endowed Fund For Student Support
Available to current students from diverse ethnic and gender backgrounds who are enrolled in Interactive Media with an emphasis in games
Louis J. Favara Scholarship for Cinematography
Awarded to Production cinematography students for academic excellence
Robert S. Fergueson Marketing Award
Awarded to students in the Peter Stark Producing Program
Samuel and Lorenza Gary Memorial Award
Awarded to students in Production who are studying to become directors.
C. Stephen Gentry Memorial Scholarship
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for academic excellence and financial need
Bud Greenspan Endowed Fund for Student Support
These funds will be used to support, encourage and educate new voices in the area of documentary filmmaking
Rock Hudson Memorial Scholarship
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for academic excellence and financial need
John Huston Scholarship
Awarded for excellence in directing to senior undergraduate or graduate students in Production.
In2TV/Freddie Prinze Endowed Fund for Student Support
Diversity award for students furthering the interests of Hispanic minorities in the areas of writing, producing or directing for television.
Jeffrey Jones Scholarship
Awarded to undergraduate or graduate Production students for writing excellence
Bernard Kantor Scholarship
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for academic excellence
Charles Lang Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to a Production student whose concentration is in cinematography and who shows outstanding artistic and academic abilities
Irving Lerner Foundation Award
Awarded by faculty recommendation to graduate Production students for project finishing funds
Sol Lesser Scholarship
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for merit and financial need
Burton Lewis Endowed Fund
General scholarship awarded to students in the School of Cinematic Arts
Harold C. Lloyd Foundation Scholarship
Available to Cinematic Arts students for excellence in the study of the motion picture industry
Arthur and Lillie Mayer Foundation Scholarship
Awarded by faculty recommendation to graduate Production students for project finishing funds
E. Russell McGregor Memorial Scholarship
General scholarship awarded to students in the School of Cinematic Arts
William Mechanic Endowed Fund for Student Support
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for merit and financial need
George Moody Endowed Fund for Student Support
Awarded to assist School of Cinematic Arts Students from the state of Illinois.
Jack Nicholson Scholarship - Directing
Awarded to undergraduate seniors and graduate production students for excellence in directing
Jack Nicholson Scholarship - Writing
Awarded to undergraduate seniors and graduate cinematic arts students for excellence in screenwriting
Jack Oakie Comedy Scholarship
Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students for excellence in writing or directing comedy
Mary Pickford Endowed Scholarship
Distinguished scholar award available for all undergraduate and graduate cinematic arts students
Sandy Roberts Memorial Scholarship for Motion Picture Editing
Awarded to an undergraduate Production student entering their third year who demonstrates a positive, fun-loving spirit and a desire to pursue a career as a professional editor.
Anna and Ray Romano Family Endowed Fund for Student Support
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for merit and financial need
Jay Roach Endowed Fund for Student Support
Awarded to writing students who demonstrate a commitment to encouraging humanistic values, self awareness and generosity of spirit while successfully entertaining their audience
Marguerite Roberts Screenwriting Award
Awarded to a female student of either junior or senior standing inWwriting who demonstrates integrity, generosity and intellect
John Sandifer Memorial Award
Awarded to undergraduate Writing students for excellence in writing
Frank Sinatra Fund for Student Support
Academic merit and need-based award available to all cinematic arts students
Edward Small Memorial Award - Directing
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate Production students for excellence in directing
Edward Small Memorial Award - Writing
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate Writing students for excellence in writing
Frances and Ray Stark Scholarship
Awarded for academic excellence for graduate students in the Peter Stark Producing Program
The Barney Rosenzweig Endowment Fund for Student Support
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for academic excellence, with primary consideration given to female students with financial need.
Edward Thomas Troutner Endowed Student Fund
Academic merit and need-based award available to all cinematic arts students
USC Associates Scholarships
Academic merit and need based award available to all cinematic arts students
Frank Volpe Endowed Scholarship
Available to all Cinematic Arts students for academic excellence and financial need