Programs and Services | Norman Topping Student Aid Fund

NTSAF Goals

The NTSAF strives to encourage and support Scholars in their academic achievements as well as their involvement in community service. The ultimate goal of the Fund is to help develop a sense of community within the university for all Scholars. To achieve this goal, the NTSAF provides the following services to the Topping Scholars:

Create a deepened sense of community among Topping Scholars
Empower Topping Scholars to take on the challenges they face by providing quality programming and student-centered service
Promote and maintain the original spirit of the fund
Encourage Topping Scholars to eagerly embrace the responsibility of student service at the University of Southern California
Maintain the integrity of the Governing Board as being primarily student administered

Signature Events in the Fall

New Scholar Welcome

Topping Scholar Retreat

The Topping Scholar Retreat is an opportunity to spend a weekend to familiarize the incoming cohort of scholars to the Fund, update continuing scholars on changes to the Fund or its policies, and serve as an avenue to connect all scholars to the academic mission of the university. The retreat is an opportunity for community building among all scholars and USC campus colleagues; to establish our Topping Family and kick off the new academic year.

Safe Halloween

The Norman Topping Student Aid Fund, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, organize the annual Safe Halloween event to provide a safe celebration for children in the local community. In coordination with the Hoover Recreation Center’s staff, the scholars annually plan and provide a one-night extravaganza with a haunted house, inflatable rides, candy and treats for neighborhood youth.

Fall Study Break

Signature Event in the Spring

Annual Recognition Banquet

Events Throughout the Year

Academic Success Seminar Series

Faculty-Student Luncheons

Community Service Hours

To encourage Topping Scholars to eagerly embrace the responsibility of student service at USC, they are required to complete 20 hours of community service each semester. From tutoring students in neighboring elementary schools to providing support through such programs as the USC Mobile Clinic and local homeless shelters, Topping Scholars offer hundreds of hours of service to the communities surrounding the University Park and Health Science campuses.

High School/Community College Visits

Outreach is an integral part of the Norman Topping Student Aid Fund’s commitment to offer supplemental scholarships to incoming students, particularly those from the surrounding community. The Topping Scholars and staff volunteer their time and efforts to promote the Fund and the University by visiting high schools and community colleges immediately surrounding the University Park and Health Sciences Campus to promote the NTSAF scholarship as well as higher education in general.

General Academic, Financial, and Personal Advising

Topping Scholars receive academic, personal, and financial guidance as well as personal referrals to professional counseling, academic advising, financial aid counselors, and other university offices throughout their tenure with the program. The Norman Topping Student Aid Fund serves as a home base for Topping Scholars. Our office has a Scholar lounge and computer lab for student access throughout the day.

Exceptional Funding Program

The purpose of the Exceptional Funding Program is to provide financial assistance to Topping Scholars as they advance in their chosen field of study. Exceptional Funding encourages Scholars to take full advantage of University sponsored opportunities to enhance their higher education experience. Such opportunities include funding for conference travel, study abroad airfare, and honor society membership fees.

Emergency Loan Program

Topping Mentor Program

We believe that mentorship is essential to the personal, educational, and professional success of students and that NTSAF alumni serve as the ideal conduits of social capital-sharing to encourage scholars to exercise their own potential regardless of social and economic constraints. The Topping Mentor Program aims to empower current scholars personally, educationally and professionally by connecting them with a mentor that will provide support and guidance. The mentors are former Topping Scholars, USC alumni and working professionals seeking to share their experiences and expertise through one-on-one meetings and participation in workshops.