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Updated: May 29, 2025 @ 9:48 am
Photo courtesy Olivia Cha / La Cañada High School senior Olivia Cha is set to attend USC in the fall after receiving the USC Trustee Scholarship.
Reporter
Photo courtesy Olivia Cha / La Cañada High School senior Olivia Cha is set to attend USC in the fall after receiving the USC Trustee Scholarship.
For many high school seniors, the stress of college and scholarship applications weighs heavy as they wait to hear back, knowing there is no guarantee they will get into the school that is top on their list.
But for some, like La Cañada High School senior Olivia Cha, they are lucky to receive a scholarship that grants a full ride. Cha will be attending USC in the fall after receiving the USC Trustee Scholarship. According to the USC website, the cost of tuition only for the 2025-26 school year is $73,260.
Cha first heard about the opportunity while chatting with her mentor and hearing of previous students submitting applications.
Cha applied for an early action application, hoping to be considered a finalist. Students who get that far then go through an interview process and are reviewed based on their application materials, like their personal essay, high school transcripts and letters of recommendation.
“USC is one of the few institutions across the United States that give merit-based scholarships,” she said.
Cha initially found out that she received a full-ride scholarship to USC when she accidentally opened the congratulations email during one of her classes. She could hardly contain her excitement.
“My heart was racing, and I was texting my parents. … I was just internally freaking out,” she said.
She proceeded to share the news with the person next to her in class, saying, “It was a really exciting moment.”
Cha said she wasn’t expecting a full tuition award, since she said that USC primarily gives out half tuition awards.
Cha one day wants to become a lawyer and is excited to see how attending USC will help her in her journey. Alongside studying politics and law, she is also considering getting a double degree in business.
“It’s a great opportunity because now I feel like I can pursue a lot more other opportunities, without having too much worry about potential constraints or financial constraints,” she said.
Cha added that she also feels comfortable pursuing different topics or different types of law under the scholarship.
“It definitely alleviates a lot of stress,” she said, adding that every student should pursue this opportunity, especially since there are no prerequisites.
In her interview for the scholarship, Cha said that she referenced things she learned during her time in the speech and debate club. That helped her have a fluid conversation and articulate her thoughts.
For community service, Cha has helped children with disabilities and has helped to increase literacy and access by donating books to L.A. County jails.
The trustee scholarship is awarded to about 100 students each year and is open to all incoming freshmen. It is administered through the USC admissions office and is awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, service and talent.
“I definitely think it’s a great opportunity for La Cañada students,” Cha said.
LCHS Principal David Paszkiewicz told the Outlook Valley Sun that he is proud of Cha for receiving the award.
“She’s one of those standout students who makes an impact here on campus, but she has her sights set on making an impact in the world outside LCHS,” he said. “The Trustee Scholarship recognizes her achievements so far, but it will also open many new doors for her education. We can’t wait to see where she’s headed at USC and beyond.”
Lisa Chung, LCHS college and career counselor, also shared her praise for Cha.
“On behalf of the entire LCHS counseling department and all the LCUSD staff who have had an opportunity to work with Olivia, we are oh so proud of Olivia Cha,” she said. “This USC scholarship further demonstrates and proves the wonderful achievements of the amazing students like Olivia.”
To learn more about the USC merit scholarships, visit admission.usc.edu/cost-and-financial-aid/scholarships/#chapter=usc-merit-scholarships.
Reporter
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