The Price Scholars for Community Enrichment Endowment Fund at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy supports incoming Price graduate students who are driven to improve the quality of life in communities across Southern California.
Funded by the Price Philanthropies Foundation, the program makes graduate study more accessible for students whose commitment to public service has been shaped by meaningful personal, professional, or community-based experiences. It aims to reduce financial barriers for students who demonstrate financial need and a strong alignment with the Price School’s mission.
Ideal candidates have a record of service, leadership, and community engagement, and are motivated to use their graduate education to make a difference—particularly in areas where opportunities and resources have historically been limited. Price Scholars join a cohort of students preparing to lead in public administration, policy, planning, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors across Southern California and beyond.
Scholarship Highlights
Funding
Up to full tuition + $5, 500 stipend
Programs
MPA, MPP, MUP, MHA
Focus
Strengthening Southern CA Communities
Renewal
Renewable annually until degree completion
Scholars Spotlight
Application Preview
Applications are now open! Prospective fall 2026 applicants have until January 15th, 2026 to apply for the Community Enrichment Endowment Fund. Students must first apply for graduate admission to gain access to the scholarship application. Therefore, we recommend that students apply for graduate admission as soon as possible to have ample time to apply for the scholarship.
The scholarship application consists of:
- Student information
- Resume/CV
- Two Recommendations
- Essay Responses to the following prompts:
- The mission of the Price School is to improve the quality of life for people and communities, here and abroad. Tell us about an experience—personal, academic, or professional—that has shaped your commitment to public service or community impact. What did you take away from that experience, and how does it influence your decision to pursue graduate study at the USC Price School? (350 words max)
- Looking ahead, how do you hope to make a difference in the communities or issues you care most about – especially in Southern California? How might your graduate education at USC Price help you move toward that vision? (350 words max)
- Describe your current financial circumstances and how you plan to finance your USC Price graduate education. (250 words max)
Ready to apply? Click below to learn more about the Price Scholars for Community Enrichment Endowment Fund and access the application.
Commonly Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
The Price Scholars for Community Enrichment Scholarship is open to prospective master, including progressive and dual degree, students applying to fall 2026 admission for one of the following in-person programs at the University Park Campus:
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP)
- Master of Urban Planning (MUP)
- Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Domestic students, including undocumented students, are eligible to apply.
Both applicants with several years of work experience as well as recent graduates with strong involvement and volunteerism are encouraged to apply.
What does the scholarship cover, and is it renewable?
- The award may consist of two parts:
- A scholarship to help cover direct costs such as tuition and/or fees, depending on a student’s financial aid package and/or,
- A stipend of up to $5,500 to help with indirect costs such as books, transportation, housing, or other personal expenses.
- The scholarship is renewable as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress including at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Do I need to live in Southern California?
Students do not need to live in Southern California, but there must be a clear demonstrated interest to create a positive impact to under-served communities within Southern California.
When will recipients be notified?
Fall 2026 applicants will be notified of their scholarship application status by March 6th, 2026.
How do I apply?
Students must first apply for graduate admission for one of the eligible programs.
Afterwards, students can access Scholarship Universe through the YouSC Portal which is where the scholarship application will be available. Students should send their recommender invites as soon as they access the application to provide them with sufficient time. Therefore, we recommend that prospective students give themselves enough time to apply for the scholarship by applying to graduate admission no later than December 15th each year.
Students do not need to be admitted to their graduate degree program to apply for the scholarship, but they must have applied to graduate admission to access the scholarship application. Applicants will be simultaneously reviewed for both admission and scholarship consideration.
Students are also encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as soon as possible.
Direct link: Scholarship Application
General link: Scholarship Universe Portal
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our Price scholarships or program costs, please contact [email protected]. Our team is happy to assist you.
The Price Scholars for Community Enrichment Fund is administered consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Recipients are chosen without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited characteristic.