Established in the center of Silicon Valley, California, the Santa Clara University is one of the top Catholic institutions located in the United States. Grounded in Jesuit traditions and values, SCU (Santa Clara University) offers quality education that covers over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs.
In addition to its Catholic heritage, the SCU is located near the outer coast of California, which means the students at Santa Clara University enjoy summer temperatures most of the year. Located near the San Francisco Bay Area, SCU students often enjoy surfing, diving, and swimming in the cool blue ocean.
Even though it offers Jesuit education, the SCU does not force students to accept its religion, but the Santa Clara University opens its arms to students with any religion or no religion since the SCU religious programs are not mandatory. In addition to faith-strengthening programs, the Santa Clara University offers great scholarships to its incoming students.
Types of Scholarships Offered at Santa Clara University
The scholarships offered by SCU do not stop with undergraduate students, but it also offers great opportunities to graduate students, parents of undergraduate students, and even international students. If you are interested in any other groups other than undergraduate scholarships, please click on the links down below.
For further information, visit Scholarships for Graduate Students, Scholarships for Parents, or Scholarships for Internationals.
1. Merit-Based Scholarships
Even merit-based scholarships are divided into two categories, they are competitive merit scholarships and automatic merit scholarships. Competitive needs a separate scholarships application, but the automatic just needs the admissions application.
A. Santa Clara University’s Johnson Scholars Program
Silicon Valley (Location of Santa Clara University) is known as a hub for technology and science, and, to further increase the renown, the SCU has provided this scholarship to attract talented prospective students to Santa Clara, California.
Even though this scholarship is merit-based, it still requires the need-based application forms. To be considered for this scholarship, the applicant has to meet the following requirements:
- Be an Incoming Freshman
- Applied for SCU Undergraduate Admissions
- File FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Submit CSS Profile (Collegeboard)
Even though the following list is not required, they are the typical characteristics of Johnson Scholars:
- Show Proofs of Leadership and Persistence
- Have an Outstanding Academic Achievements
- Maintained a Cumulative High School GPA of 3.8 or Higher
- Scored at least 30 on ACT OR 1,400 on SAT
- Involved in Extracurricular Activities and Community Service
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition + Room & Board + Mandatory Fees + Stipend for Summer Study Abroad or Internships
After Santa Clara University looks at your admissions application, the prospective students will be asked to turn in supplemental materials, and the finalists will be chosen from that group of prospective students. The Johnson Scholars will be invited to SCU for a scholarship weekend, and all the fees will be paid by the Santa Clara University.
Also, the selection process for the Johnson Scholars Program and the application process for this full-ride scholarship have been posted in the SCU website, so make sure to visit the link down below for more!
For more information, view SCU Johnson Scholars Program.
To see all scholarships, view SCU Merit-Based Scholarships.
2. Need-Based Scholarships
Offered by Santa Clara University, the need-based scholarships depend on FAFSA, which is only for US Citizen or Permanent Resident. Filling out the FAFSA will give the Santa Clara University the information to determine whether a student has demonstrated financial need or not.
A. SCU Need-Based Grant
This is one of the few examples of need-based scholarship, and the applicant must meet the following requirements to be considered:
- Applied for SCU Undergraduate Admissions
- Filed FASFA
- Submitted CSS Profile
- Show Demonstrated Financial Need
Just because it is focused on demonstrated financial need, that doesn’t mean the academic achievements are completely ignored. Make sure to keep decent grades in class and do well on standardized testings to further your chance to get this need-based scholarship.
To view this scholarship, you need to click on the link down below and scroll down to need-based grants.
For further information, visit SCU Need-Based Scholarships.
3. Special Scholarships
Even though it has a need-based and merit-based factor in it, the special scholarships have a special requirement that is selective to certain groups. Make sure to check the special requirement if you are interested in any of the scholarships down below.
A. Santa Clara University’s Jesuit Ignatian Award
Eligibility Requirements:
- Filed FAFSA
- Submitted CSS Profile
- Need to be a Graduate from a Jesuit High School
Unlike typical need-based scholarship which just requires FAFSA and CSS Profile, the SCU special scholarship has an additional requirement that is attached. To view this scholarship, click on the link below and scroll down.
For more information, view SCU Special Scholarships.
4. External Scholarships
Offered not by SCU but by private organizations, these external scholarships are available to students who are in financial need but show outstanding potential.
A. Scholarship America Dream Award
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be at least 17 Years of Age
- Be US Citizens or Permanent Residents or Individual of DACA*
- Be a High School Graduate
- Studying for the First Undergraduate Degree
- Maintained a High School Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Demonstrate Financial Need
*Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program
Scholarship: $15,000 ~ $5,000 per year
For further information, view Scholarship America.
To view all scholarships, visit SCU Scholarships & Grants.
Conclusion: Grants!
Similar to scholarships, grants are money that does not have to be repaid; however, most grants are need-based so it is vital that an applicant show demonstrated financial need. To be eligible for any grants, FAFSA is a must, and sometimes filling out the CSS Profile at Collegeboard might be an additional requirement.
Even if you need more money after receiving scholarships, grants might be a good option to consider. To help students in their application for financial aid, Santa Clara University has provided some tips for the scholarship application. Also, you can visit the CSU Tuition costs for undergraduates and graduates.
For further information, visit How to Apply for Financial Aid or SCU Tuition and Fees.
