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Financial Aid Eligibility and SAI

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for financial aid you must meet the following criteria:

  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen in a degree or certificate program of study at least half-time
  • make satisfactory academic progress
  • not be in default on a federal student loan
  • not owe a refund on any federal financial aid grant
  • have a valid Social Security number
  • enrollment status will be calculated based only on those courses that are required for, or that can be applied as an eligible elective credit toward, a student's degree or certificate program
  • Please note: once all your degree requirements have been met, you are no longer eligible for federal, state, or institutional aid. Please contact the One Stop with any questions.

Determining Financial Need

Your need-based financial aid is determined from the information gathered from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Financial Aid Office takes the total cost for attending Santa Clara University for an academic year (including room, board, books, supplies, local transportation, loan fees and personal expenses) and subtracts your Student Aid Index. The result is your demonstrated need.

Calculating Financial Need

Cost of Attendance

minus Student Aid Index (SAI)

equals Financial Need

Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance is the estimated amount it will cost to attend Santa Clara University for one academic year.

Student Aid Index (SAI)

Your Student Aid Index is an index number that helps your school determine how much financial support you may need. Your SAI is calculated using information that you (and other contributors, if required) provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Your SAI is not:

•    a dollar amount of aid you’ll receive,
•    what your family is expected to provide, or
•    your final financial aid offer