USC to Award 4-Year Sports Scholarships in Football, Basketball

The University of Southern California announced Monday that all of its football and men's and women's basketball scholarships would last for four years, instead of being the common one-year renewable grant. While it is commonly assumed that college athletic scholarships are for four years, the reality is that most are not -- an issue that has surfaced frequently in the growing debate over whether college athletes are treated fairly. In mandating four-year scholarships for all current and future football and men's and women's basketball players, USC Athletics Director Pat Haden said "USC hopes to help lead the effort to refocus on student-athlete welfare on and off the field."