FINANCIAL AID
USC Institutional Financial Aid

USC offers a number of institutional scholarships and grants for new and continuing students attending USC as full time matriculating students.  All scholarship/grant recipients are required to maintain a 2.0 overall GPA for awards to be renewed each semester.  Awards are made for consecutive semesters unless otherwise specified by the Director of Student Financial Aid.

Continuing students are required to complete their FASFA prior to May 1 each academic year.

USC Educational Opportunity Grant
Recent NYS High School graduates who enroll full time at USC and who complete their FAFSA prior to May 1 of their senior year will be offered a Financial Aid package covering 100% of USC’s commuter budget.

The USC Educational Opportunity Grant will be endowed with institutional funds to cover the remaining financial need of qualified students after federal, state and private financial assistance has been awarded, including Federal Student Loans and Federal College Work Study.

Roger L. Williams Presidential Scholarship
Recent New York State High School graduates who rank in the top 10 percentile of their class at the end of their junior year and enroll full time in any associate degree program offered at USC will qualify for the Roger L. Williams Presidential Scholarship.

The Roger L. Williams Presidential Scholarship will cover full tuition and fees at USC after eligibility for federal, state, institutional, or private grants and scholarships has been considered.

Students must complete their program of studies in four (4) consecutive semesters (not including summer) and achieve a 3.0 GPA at the end of their first year to maintain their scholarship for their second year of studies.  Priority consideration will be given to students who apply for admission by March 1 of their senior year.

USC Award For Excellence In Business
The USC Award For Excellence in Business will be presented to the top graduating business student at each participating high school or BOCES in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego and Schoharie counties.

The USC Award for Excellence in Business recipient will be selected by representatives of the student’s high school based on his/her student academic achievement and his/her potential to succeed in business.

Students will be recognized with a plaque to commemorate their award.  Students choosing to attend USC full time will be awarded a scholarship based on merit totaling $5,000 to be disbursed equally over four consecutive semesters.  Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA.

USC Adult Education Scholarship
The USC Adult Education Scholarship is a need-based scholarship awarded to new and continuing adult students demonstrating a substantial financial need after all federal and state resources (including Federal Student Loans) have been taken into account.

Recommendations from the USC Campus Director will be made for full-time students who demonstrate outstanding business qualities and will take into account the student’s career goals, current GPA, previous education, work experience, and remaining financial need.

Scholarships will range from $300-$1500 annually, divided equally over two (2) consecutive semesters.  Awards are not renewable or transferable.

USC Fresh Start Opportunity Program
The USC Fresh Start Opportunity Program provides adult learners at USC with the financial and educational resources to obtain the technical and professional skills necessary to meet the labor needs of the business community.

Single parents residing in New York State for the past 12 months who are economically and educationally disadvantaged and who will be attending a post-secondary institution for the first time are eligible.  Students must enroll as a full-time, matriculated student in any USC certificate program or the first year of any degree program and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The USC Fresh Start Opportunity Program will cover full tuition and fees at USC after eligibility for federal, state, institutional, or private grants and scholarships has been considered.

USC Matching Scholarship
Students who have received academic or service recognition from an approved scholarship program are eligible to have their awards matched by USC up to $500 per academic year, not to exceed tuition, less other aid.  Awards must be paid directly to USC.  Matching awards will be credited to the student’s account for the semester in which the grant is received.       

Utica School of Commerce is a member of the Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation of America-Dollars for Scholars program.  USC will match up to $500 per year of scholarship funds a student receives from any business or organization that participates in Dollars for Scholars®.

USC Leadership Award
The USC Leadership Award will be granted to incoming USC freshmen who have demonstrated leadership qualities by serving as a class officer or participating at the chapter, district, or state level in any recognized leadership club, including FBLA, DECA, VICA, 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, or Junior Achievement during their Junior or Senior year of high school.  Awards of up to $1,500 will be divided equally over two (2) consecutive semesters.  Students must provide the USC Financial Aid Office with verification of their eligibility from their club or class advisor.

Award for Scholastic Excellence
USC believes that students who demonstrate academic excellence during their first year of study at USC should be rewarded.

First-time, full-time students enrolled for 2 consecutive semesters (excluding summer) continuing in any associate degree program at USC, who have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.25, are eligible to apply for awards up to $1,000 toward their second year of studies.

Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment; awards are not renewable and must be used for the semester(s) for which they have been awarded.  The number of awards and the dollar amount of each award will be based on the funds available.

Applications are available from the campus Financial Aid Office and must be submitted prior to the start of the semester for which the student will be awarded.

Deferred Payment Plans
USC provides an interest-free payment plan to cover any balance due after all other financial aid has been awarded.  One-quarter of the outstanding balance is due prior to the first day of classes with the remaining balance due in three equal payments over the remaining three months of the semester.

This payment plan is for convenience of payment; if the student withdraws or leaves school for any reason, the balance due or the portion due based on USC’s refund policy becomes due and payable immediately.