Finances — USC OIS
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Finances
How to Open a U.S. Bank Account
There are several different banks with branches near the USC campus to choose from, such as the USC Credit Union, Chase Bank and Bank of America. We recommend researching different banks to see which one best fits your financial needs.
To open a bank account, international students and scholars will need the following documents:
- Valid passport
- F-1 or J-1 visa (except students from Canada and Bermuda)
- Valid USC Form I-20 or DS-2019
- I-94 printout
A Social Security number (SSN) is not required to open a bank account in the United States.
![[Photo] A group of students sits together indoors, smiling and laughing while looking at a printed program. Other students are seated nearby in the background, creating a welcoming campus gathering.](https://ois.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/laughing-students-usc-1280x720.jpg)
Financial Aid
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Financial aid for undergraduate international students is limited. USC’s financial aid office outlines some of the financial aid options for international students, including merit-based scholarships and private financing. It also provides resources that connect students to financial aid opportunities not affiliated with USC.
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Graduate international students* should contact their academic department to learn about financial aid options. There are several options for financial assistance for graduate international students, including:
- Need-based financial aid and application fee waivers
- Department fellowships, assistantships and merit-based tuition waivers
- On-campus jobs
- Grants, scholarships and financing programs
The USC Graduate School also provides details on fellowship opportunities available at USC.
*Engineering master’s and PhD students should contact USC Viterbi School of Engineering Admission and Student Engagement for more information on financial aid options.
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On-campus employment is available for both F-1 students and J-1 students. However, students should not expect to cover their tuition and living expenses through on-campus employment, as positions are typically part time.
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The USC Payment Plan gives students the option to pay for tuition, fees, university housing, meal plans and other miscellaneous university charges in five monthly installments in a given semester. This plan is available only in the fall and spring semesters. It is not available in the summer semester.