George Lucas Scholarship (USC)

Overview

The George Lucas Scholarship is a merit-based award at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, funded by filmmaker and USC alumnus George Lucas. Lucas donated $175 million to USC in 2006, and a portion of this endowment supports scholarships for exceptional students admitted to the school's MFA programs. The scholarship is one of the most coveted awards available to graduate film students in the United States.

George Lucas graduated from USC's film program in 1967 and went on to create Star Wars and Indiana Jones, building one of the most successful careers in film history. His philanthropic commitment to his alma mater reflects a belief that the next generation of filmmakers deserves access to the same quality of education regardless of financial circumstances.

The George Lucas Scholarship is awarded based on merit during the admissions process. Students do not apply separately for the scholarship; the admissions committee identifies candidates whose creative portfolios, academic records, and personal qualities demonstrate exceptional promise.

What It Covers

• Partial to full tuition coverage for the MFA program at USC's School of Cinematic Arts
• Renewable annually for the duration of the degree program, subject to maintaining academic standards
• Access to USC's full resources including the George Lucas Building, soundstages, and production equipment

Eligibility

Applicants must be admitted to an MFA program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The scholarship is merit-based, and candidates are evaluated on the strength of their admissions portfolio, creative work, academic record, and potential for impact in the field. There is no separate application for the scholarship; all admitted students are automatically considered.

How to Apply

Apply to an MFA program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts through the university's graduate admissions process. The admissions committee reviews all applicants for scholarship eligibility as part of the standard evaluation. Students who are selected for the George Lucas Scholarship are notified as part of their admissions offer.

Who Should Apply

Exceptional filmmakers applying to USC's MFA programs who demonstrate outstanding creative vision, technical skill, and the potential to make significant contributions to cinema. The scholarship targets students who would otherwise face financial barriers to attending USC's graduate program.

See Also

For information on USC's film programs, see the USC School of Cinematic Arts directory entry. To plan your graduate film education costs, use the Production Budget Calculator.