Becky

Navigating financial aid can be tricky, unknown, and may include a steep learning curve. The introduction of new vocabulary and acronyms, possible new conversations with your parent(s) around costs and affordability, a varied calendar of deadlines and requirements, and unique forms for each college you are considering can feel overwhelming. We want to simplify it and help you feel empowered to see the financial aid process at Santa Clara as one that compliments your application for admission. Our goal is to ensure you are informed and feel confident that Santa Clara is worth the financial investment in your future. 

Oftentimes, our students and families are unsure what questions to even ask! Therefore, we thought we would take a few of the questions we have received from students in the past to help frame our answer and share and guide your understanding of financial aid at Santa Clara. Perhaps, we’ll even inspire further research and questions!

What types of Financial Aid does Santa Clara University offer?

At SCU, applicants have the opportunity to be considered for need-based aid and merit awards. All students are automatically considered for merit scholarships. The first step in applying for need-based aid is to submit the FAFSA and the CSS profile. Keep in mind that need-based aid comes in different forms. 

• Federal aid: Money provided by the government.
• Institutional aid: Money provided by SCU.
• Grants: Awards that do not need to be paid back. Scholarships are a grant.
• Loans: Money that needs to be paid back. For more details, check out our Financial Aid Office’s page on Loans. 
• Work Study: Priority for on-campus employment to help support cost of attendance.

Which forms are required and why does SCU ask for two?

Applicants are not required to submit any financial aid forms. Students should submit these forms if they would like to be considered for any need-based aid. We encourage families to submit both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile to maximize their opportunity to receive financial assistance.

• FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. As the name suggests, this form allows students to be considered for federal aid only. It is important to note that SCU has a priority application deadline of February 1st, which is different from the national deadline. SCU’s FAFSA code is 001326.
• The CSS Profile offers students the opportunity to be considered for a full range of Santa Clara University scholarships and grants. Please keep in mind that priority deadlines for the CSS Profile vary depending on how and when you apply to SCU. For a list of deadlines, please refer here. 

I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 1400 SAT; will I get a scholarship?

All students who apply to SCU are automatically considered for merit awards. As part of our application evaluation process, we practice a holistic review of all applicants. This means that our admission and merit aid decisions are not solely based on academics, which is why we do not provide a rubric for merit awards. For first-year fall 2021 and 2022 applicants, SAT or ACT scores are not required to be considered for merit awards.

Is my financial aid award renewable for four years?

Yes! All awards are renewable each year. 

Do you offer full-rides?

The concept of a full-ride is often language describing a scholarship that covers all costs of attendance: tuition, room, board, and fees. All students are automatically considered for the Johnson Scholarship, a merit-based full-ride scholarship.  We work to support affording a Santa Clara education through our scholarships, grants, student loans, and work study.

I am an international student. Am I eligible for financial aid?

SCU does not offer need-based financial aid to international students. As an international student, you are required to complete the International Student Financial Resource Form, demonstrating that you or your family can cover the total cost of the first year of attendance, at the time of application.

Can I appeal my financial aid and merit awards?

At Santa Clara University, we recognize that financial circumstances can change greatly in a year. If you experience special circumstances that affect your ability to pay college costs, we encourage you to contact the Financial Aid Office and use the appropriate SCU Appeal Request Form. If you are appealing a merit aid award, you can contact the admission office. 

How else can I help finance my college education?

Students can and should start applying for external scholarships as soon as possible. Scholly, Fastweb, and College Greenlight are great places to start. These resources aggregate a number of scholarships for students to find them easily in one place.

What questions am I not asking that I should?

Great question! Please refer to our Financial Aid’s FAQ page for more information. 

We hope this guide has shed light on the process of applying for financial aid and that you now have a better understanding of where to start your process. While the process can be complicated and overwhelming, taking the necessary steps to finance your education makes attending your dream school a real possibility!