FINANCIAL AID

Private Scholarships
There are many private scholarships available to students that take into consideration their particular eligibility qualifications and education goals.  Many of these scholarships are awarded in recognition of special skills, talent, and/or academic ability and are not awarded based on the student’s financial need.

Sources of private scholarships are available from many sources including:

Some scholarships and awards with which USC frequently participates include:
The Clark Foundation Scholarship
McDonalds Scholarship
T.J. Risinger Memorial Scholarship
American Red Cross
Dollars for Scholars®
AC Molinari Foundation

Scholarship Searches
The following Internet websites provide a database of scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans personalized for the student based on demographics and personal information provided:

College Answer:  www.collegeanswer.com
FastWeb Scholarship Search: www.fastweb.com

NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training
USC, a partnership-approved education and training provider, participates in the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Training Tuition Voucher System.  CSEA-represented NYS employees are required to apply to the Partnership for a voucher for any approved course offered at USC.  Students are responsible for any balance plus books, supplies, and student fees.

Employer Reimbursement
A number of area companies will pay at least a portion of the tuition for an employee taking a course that is job related, pending successful completion of the class.  USC offers students an interest-free deferral of tuition with evidence that employer tuition reimbursement will be paid directly to USC.  Students are responsible for any tuition charges not covered by their employer.

Tuition Plans
USC participates with the Academic Management Services in providing students and families with a no-interest monthly payment option.  This program enables families to spread all or part of their annual educational expenses over ten (10) equal, monthly payments.  The only cost for this service is a $50 annual enrollment fee.  There are no interest fees or other charges.

Alternative Loans
Alternative Loan Programs help bridge the gap between the student’s educational costs and the availability of federal, state and institutional financial aid.  These loans are designed to enable students to meet their education financing needs after all other resources have been exhausted.

Alternative Loan Programs with competitive interest rates and low fees are available from a number of private lenders to credit-worthy students.  In some cases, students may be required to have a co-signer who assumes joint responsibility for the loan.

Lenders may allow repayment of the Alternative Loan to be deferred until the student graduates or leaves school; however, unlike Federal Stafford Loans, interest on Alternative Loans capitalizes at the time of disbursement.