Scholar Distinctions

USC Renaissance Scholars, Discovery Scholars, and Global Scholars are academic honors awarded upon graduation that recognize graduating seniors who meet the criteria. Interested USC undergraduates may apply and receive the distinction(s) upon commencement. Scholars receive a medallion to wear at graduation, have their distinction noted on their final transcript from the University, and may be in consideration for the Prize Competition (see below). Seniors can earn more than one distinction but must meet the criteria for each application.

• May and August graduates apply during their final spring semester (aside from the Renaissance Scholar Certification deadline in December).
• December graduates apply the spring following their graduation (defined by undergraduate degree completion, not walking).

Follow all specific deadlines and updates listed for each Scholar Distinction application.

Seniors apply separately for consideration to be Renaissance Scholars, Discovery Scholars, and/or Global Scholars. Interested undergraduates should thoroughly review the eligibility and requirements for each distinction and prize competition.

Each distinction hosts a Prize Competition and selects ten graduating seniors to receive a $10,000 prize. Students may apply for or be considered for more than one Prize Competition, but can only be awarded one prize.

For Renaissance Scholars, all certified graduating seniors are invited to apply for the Prize Competition. Applying for the Prize is not required to earn the distinction.

For Global and Discovery Scholars, applicants who meet the deadline are reviewed by their School to earn the distinction and/or prize nomination. All prize nominees are forwarded to a university-wide review panel and, if not selected, will still earn the distinction.

Prize Winners may request funds for up to 5 years (6 for Architecture graduates) after bachelor’s degree completion to fund graduate school anywhere in the U.S. or abroad; and may be able to propose creative projects relevant to career goals. A request may be submitted through Academic Programs after the recipient has enrolled and passed the third week of a graduate program through the fall semester 5 years (6 years for Architecture) post-graduation. Prize award requests cannot go towards funding for pre-graduate school preparatory courses or exam fees, or towards a completed graduate degree.

We encourage all student applicants to consult a tax professional to understand their tax obligations and responsibilities.  For international students, please go to this link for additional resources on tax implications provided by the USC Office of International Services.

Email ahfstaff@usc.edu for assistance with prize disbursement.

Each year, an exemplary group of ten graduating seniors from each of the Scholar Distinctions is selected to receive $10,000 prizes towards graduate study. Below is a list of Prize Winners for previous years.