USG Senators Jeremiah Boisrond and Ali Bhatti Call on USC to Reinstate National Merit Scholarship Fund or Ensure Transparency in Fund Reallocation
The University of Southern California Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senators Jeremiah Boisrond and Ali Bhatti are urging USC officials to reinstate the National Merit Scholarship to its original amount or provide clarity regarding how exactly they plan to redistribute those funds.
USC’s decision to modify the National Merit Scholarship was first disclosed in a scholarship PDF document on their admissions website, as reported by the campus publication Morning Trojan. Starting with the Class of 2029, the scholarship, which historically covered half of tuition (currently valued at $34,952 annually), will be reduced to a fixed annual award of $20,000—representing a 42% decrease. While the university has stated that the change aims to increase financial support for students with demonstrated need, they have not provided a clear plan detailing how these funds will be redistributed.
“While we understand and respect USC’s stated goal of increasing financial support for students in need, transparency is essential when making decisions that directly impact the lives of prospective students,” stated Senator Boisrond. “We are committed to ensuring accountability and advocating for solutions that benefit both current and future Trojans.”
Senator Bhatti added, “Reducing this scholarship without a clear roadmap risks deterring high-achieving students from choosing USC. Students and families deserve to understand the reasoning and strategy behind this decision.”
USG is also seeking input from the student body to assess the impact of these changes. A Google form has been created for students and families to provide anonymous testimonials on how the National Merit Scholarship has influenced their decision to attend USC and their overall college experience. This feedback will guide advocacy efforts aimed at increasing transparency and fostering equity in scholarship distribution.
https://forms.gle/V1LSPGif9ajmUbwA8
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Senator Jeremiah Boisrond, USC Undergraduate Student Government
Boisrond@usc.edu
Senator Ali Bhatti, USC Undergraduate Student Government
Ahbhatti@usc.edu