Admissions and Financial Information

http://www.scu.edu/admission

http://www.scu.edu/finaid

ADMISSION TO FRESHMAN STANDING

Criteria

The University makes selective decisions regarding applicants for admission based on the following criteria: first, achievement in college preparatory courses; second, scores on College Entrance Examination Board tests; third, school recommendations; fourth, personal factors such as extracurricular involvement, character, leadership, and one personal essay; fifth, relationship to the University.

Admission to freshman standing at Santa Clara depends on a continued high level of performance during the remainder of the applicant�s senior year in high school and on receipt of a high school diploma. If a significant change occurs in academic work during this year, the Committee on Admissions will re-evaluate the acceptance in light of that change.

Recommended Courses

The following high school courses are recommended for a student applying for admission to the University as a freshman:

*Physics and chemistry are recommended laboratory sciences for natural science and engineering majors.

**Elective courses must be in advanced foreign languages, mathematics, laboratory science, or other solid college-preparatory courses.

Campus Visits

The University encourages all candidates to visit the campus, preferably when school is in session, so they can tour the campus with a student guide. Although interviews are not required, a member of the admissions staff will be happy to meet with candidates. Appointments should be made one to two weeks in advance.

Admissions Procedure

Prospective freshman students should

1. file the application and service fee of $50 with the Admissions Office (application forms may be obtained from that office or downloaded from the University�s Web site at www.scu.edu);

2. submit to the Admissions Office a recommendation from a high school counselor, teacher, or administrator evaluating scholastic ability and character, (recommendation form is provided with application);

3. request the high school to forward a sixth-semester transcript to the Admissions Office. This transcript should also list the courses to be taken during the seventh and eighth semesters. All students should also submit a seventh-semester transcript as soon as possible and preferably by February 15, 2002.

4. take the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT I)* no later than January of the senior year and request that scores be sent to the University. (For information on dates and places of this test, write to the College Board, ATP, 1947 Center St., Berkeley, CA 94704, or Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08541, or contact the College Board online at www.collegeboard.org);

5. make certain all of the above are completed and the required materials are submitted to the Admissions Office by January 15 (full consideration cannot be assured for applications received after that date); and

6. mail application materials directly to the Admissions Office.

Sixth-Semester Decision

Students may seek an admissions decision after the sixth semester. Transcripts reflecting six semesters of work and recommendation forms should be sent by the high school. The admissions decision will be rendered beginning in January. If the Committee on Admissions requires additional academic information before reaching its final decision, the student will be so informed in a letter.

Advanced Placement

Santa Clara participates in the Advanced Placement Program to recognize college-level academic achievement prior to matriculation and to encourage students to pursue advanced studies in their areas of interest.

The following chart indicates the subject examination, required scores, and Santa Clara credit granted in the Advanced Placement Program.

Credit or placement is determined on the recommendation of the appropriate department, which will review the student�s scores and may also review the student�s high school record, teacher evaluations, substantiation of independent studies, and transcripts from other colleges. Course credit is offered to students who qualify in subjects according to the schedule issued by the University registrar. Students will be notified of such credit on matriculation at Santa Clara.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT POLICY

International Baccalaureate Policy

Santa Clara University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program for admission and placement purposes and often awards credit for grades of 5, 6, or 7 in the higher-level examinations. Final decisions, however, are made individually by the appropriate academic departments after consulting with the Drahmann Advising and Learning Resources Center. No credit is awarded for subsidiary-level courses.

Admission to Advanced Standing (Transfers)

Each year the University accepts a number of transfer students, principally at the sophomore and junior levels. Since applications exceed the number of students who can be accommodated, no specific statement can be made about the quality of work (GPA) that will enable a transfer applicant to be accepted. Only students in good standing at the last college attended will be considered. No student on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension will be considered for admission.

Ordinarily, no minimum number of units is required for transfer admission. However, students who were not accepted as freshmen cannot be considered until they have completed at least 45 quarter units or 30 semester units of transferable college work. In general, students� class standing is determined by the number of units applicable to their degree program.

The Scholastic Assessment Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board are required of transfer applicants who have completed less than 45 quarter units or 30 semester units of transferable work. A high school transcript and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required of all applicants.

Transfer students may apply for admission for fall, winter, and spring quarters. Deadlines for applications to those terms are fall, May 15; winter, October 15; and spring, January 15.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is determined by the Drahmann Advising Center following the student�s acceptance. No evaluation will be made before that time. The following general statements apply to transfer credit:

Santa Clara University awards a maximum of 88 quarter units of transfer credit to students who have completed, with a grade of C or better, courses taken at other accredited universities and colleges. Transfer credit will not be awarded for courses taken on a pass/no pass or credit/no credit basis. Students admitted to the School of Engineering or Engineering Physics majors may transfer a maximum of one-half of their degree requirements. The academic levels of these courses must be essentially equivalent to those of similar courses offered at Santa Clara. Courses or credit gained from continuing education or from practica or internships (i.e., experiential learning) are typically excluded.

Work done at other institutions will not be used in calculating grade point averages or class rankings at Santa Clara, but will be considered when determining honors at graduation.

� Technical or trade courses and courses from regionally unaccredited institutions, trade schools, and extension or correspondence programs do not transfer.

� Transfer courses completed at a foreign university must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency at the student�s expense.

� Students who are already enrolled at Santa Clara University and who intend to take courses at other institutions should refer to the policy governing the transfer of units provided on page http://www.scu.edu/bulletin/undergraduate/regulations.cfm. Students who are on academic leave from Santa Clara should consult with the Drahmann Center and chair of their major department if they are considering enrolling in courses at other institutions. In this way, the selection of nontransferable courses can be avoided. Appropriate approval forms are available from the Student Records Office.

Recommended Courses for Transfers

Students applying for transfer to Santa Clara enhance their chances for admission by completing University Core and College requirements outlined under each undergraduate division of this bulletin. Preference will be given to students who have completed the following courses:

� College of Arts and Sciences: English composition (2 semesters or quarters); college-level mathematics (1 semester or quarter); natural science (1 semester or quarter)

� School of Business: English composition (2 semesters or quarters); calculus and analytic geometry (2 semesters or quarters); accounting (2 semesters or 3 quarters); microeconomics; macroeconomics

� School of Engineering: English composition (2 semesters or quarters); calculus (2 semesters or 3 quarters); chemistry (1 semester or 1 quarter); physics (2 semesters or 2 quarters)

ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Non-native English speakers must present a score of at least 213 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is administered by the Educational Testing Service. Non-native English speakers, both freshmen and advanced-standing applicants, must also take the Scholastic Assessment Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board. In order to be eligible for Immigration Form I-20, the applicant must be accepted as a full-time student working toward a degree.

ADMISSION OF PART-TIME STUDENTS

The University does not admit degree-seeking students on a part-time basis. Students wishing to take an individual course should contact Undergraduate Admissions for an application for nonmatriculants. Students eligible for admission may enroll but only on a space-available basis.

GRADUATION RATE

The Santa Clara University 1998�99 six-year graduation rate for the 1993 freshman class is 80.7 percent; the five-year rate for the 1994 freshman class is 79.4 percent; and the four-year rate for the 1995 freshman class is 73.8 percent.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees rates are listed in the Undergraduate Schedule of Classes published by the Office of Student Records. This rate information is also listed in the Billing Guide and the Student Accounting Services Information Guide. The Student Accounting Services Information Guide is mailed to all students during the month of June. The Billing Guide is also sent to all students with the billing statement each term. Current year tuition and fee information is also available on the Santa Clara Web site, www.scu.edu.

Housing Rate Information

The room and board rate information is mailed to all students who are to receive housing contracts. Housing room and board rates are also published in the Billing Guide and in the Student Accounting Services Information Guide.

Note: All tuition, room, and board costs are due and payable in full no later than the announced payment deadline for each term. The payment deadlines are published in the Undergraduate Schedule of Classes and are also listed in the Billing Guide and the Student Accounting Services Information Guide.

Course Fees

Certain courses in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business, especially those involving studio, laboratory and computer instruction, charge fees to cover the cost of specialized materials, supplies, equipment maintenance, and field trips. Fee information pertinent to these courses is published on a quarterly basis in the Undergraduate Schedule of Classes. Students who drop a course with a course fee during the first week of classes will be refunded the amount of the fee in full. No refund of course related fees will be made after the first week of classes.

Applied Music Instruction

Private lessons on instruments, voice, and music composition are provided for a separate fee each quarter. A fee of $400 is charged for nine 60-minute lessons; $300, for nine 45-minute lessons; and $200, for nine 30-minute lessons.

Temporary Part-Time Enrollment

A lower-division student who has obtained permission from the Drahmann Center to enroll for fewer than three (3) term courses, or an upper-division student who has obtained permission to enroll for fewer than two (2) term courses, regardless of the unit value of the courses will be considered enrolled in a temporary part-time enrollment status. These students will be assessed a special one- or two-term course rate for that term. For financial aid eligibility purposes, six (6) units is the minimum number of units to be considered enrolled at least half time.

Refund schedule for course-related fees: Students who drop a course with a course fee during the first week of classes will be refunded the amount of the fee in full. If the course is dropped after the first week, no refund will be due.

PAYMENT PROCEDURES

Returning Students

An advance billing statement, which estimates full-time tuition, actual Residence hall cost, and meal-plan choice, will be sent to each student at his/her permanent address. Any student who registers is obligated to pay tuition and fees by the published financial clearance (payment) date, even if he/she does not receive a bill. The financial clearance deadlines are as follows:

Fall quarter: Last week in August

Winter quarter: Last week in November

Spring quarter: First week in March

Deadlines are subject to change without notice.

If payment is not received or a proper deferment is not obtained through the Office of Student Loan Services, a late payment fee will be assessed and a hold will be placed on the record. The hold will prevent the release of transcripts or diplomas and prevent registration and access to any of the telephone registration services or other University services. Inquiries regarding account status should be directed to the Office of Student Accounting Services (408-554-4412). Remittances should be made payable to Santa Clara University and mailed to Santa Clara University, File 72662, P. O. Box 60000, San Francisco CA 94160-2662.

Rights and Responsibilities

Santa Clara University considers all student tuition and loan accounts as legal and moral obligations. The Office of Student Accounting Services will notify the student of outstanding accounts. However, it is the student�s responsibility to maintain current address records at the Office of Student Records. Accounts that remain unpaid may be reported as delinquent to a credit bureau. These accounts may be placed with a collection agency or an attorney, and the student will be responsible for collection costs and attorney�s fees. All cost of collection incurred by the University must be paid in full prior to a student returning or re-enrolling at Santa Clara University.

Students who have unpaid accounts at the University or who defer payment without approval are subject to dismissal from the University. All unpaid balances will accrue 10 percent interest from the defaulted payment date in accordance with California State law.

Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students

The University requires payment in full of tuition, residence-hall assignment charges, and meal-plan cost by the last day of the add/drop period for that term. An advance billing statement, which estimates full-time tuition, actual residence-hall assignment, and board-plan choice, will be sent to the permanent address. The statement must be paid by the due date on the bill to avoid assessment of a late payment fee.

MONTHLY PAYMENT PLANS

Many families prefer to pay academic expenses from monthly income rather than make one large cash payment each term. Two installment plans are available to accommodate these needs. Academic Management Service Budget Plan (AMS), in cooperation with Santa Clara University, offers a 12-month installment payment plan for the regular academic year. Enrollment for this plan must be made at least six weeks before the first payment is due which is June 1. Please contact AMS at 1-800-635-0120 or Student Accounting Services to request an enrollment packet if you wish to join this plan. Student Loan Services also offers a tuition deferment plan or installment plan on a term-by-term basis. Students who are unable to meet a term�s payment deadline pending receipt of financial aid or other extraordinary circumstances should contact Student Loan Services at 408-554-4620 to obtain a tuition and fee deferment. Tuition and fee deferments must be obtained before or by the term�s payment deadline in order for the account to be considered financially clear for the term. Please note that both plans charge an enrollment fee.

GUARANTEED TUITION PLAN

The Guaranteed Tuition Plan is a payment plan whereby families may prepay up to four years of tuition. The University guarantees that the student�s tuition will not increase during the prepaid period. Payment of the required prepaid tuition and mandatory fees may be made in the following ways:

1. Lump sum payment from the family�s own resources

2. Prepaid loan from a commercial lender

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY TUITION REFUND POLICY

The following schedule is for students who withdraw completely from the University after the first day of classes published for the term. It does not apply to students who withdraw from a class or classes after the end of the add/drop period but remain enrolled for the term. Full-time students who drop courses after the last day to add classes for the term will be considered full time for the remainder of the term. No tuition adjustment will be made.

Students who wish to withdraw from the University during a quarter must complete a withdrawal form and an exit interview at the Drahmann Advising and Learning Resources Center.

The date on which written notification of withdrawal is received at the Office of Student Accounting Services will be the effective date on which any refund of tuition will be determined, not the last date of attendance by the student. This policy also applies to incremental tuition, special course fees, and lab fees. Written notification of withdrawal must be received prior to the first scheduled day of classes to qualify for a full tuition refund less a $50 registration cancellation fee. Written notification of withdrawal received on or after the first scheduled day of classes will result in a refund of tuition according to the following schedule:

Prior to the start of the quarter* 100%

During the first week of the quarter 75%

During the second week of the quarter 50%

During the third week of the quarter 25%

NO FURTHER REFUNDS AFTER THE THIRD WEEK

No refunds will be made because of curtailment of services brought about as a result of strikes, acts of God, civil insurrection, riots or threats thereof, or other causes beyond the control of the University. All fees, charges, and refund schedules in this bulletin are subject to change without prior notice.

RETURN OF FEDERAL TITLE IV FUNDS

In addition to the institutional refund policy, all students who withdraw completely from the University and who have federal financial aid, including federal student loans, are subject to the return of Title IV funds policy. Under this policy, it is assumed that a student earns his or her aid based on the period of time he or she remains enrolled. Unearned Title IV funds, other than Federal Work Study, must be returned to the federal aid programs. Unearned aid is the amount of disbursed Title IV aid that exceeds the amount of Title IV aid earned.

During the first 60 percent of the enrollment period, a student �earns� Title IV funds in direct proportion to the length of time he or she remains enrolled. That is, the percentage of time during the period that the student remained enrolled is the percentage of disbursable aid for that period that the student earned. Institutional costs play no role in determining the amount of Title IV funds to which a withdrawn student is entitled. A student who withdraws after the 60 percent point of the enrollment term earns all Title IV aid disbursed for the period.

Examples of common return of Title IV funds situations are available from the Financial Aid Office located in the Walsh Administration Building.

All funds must be returned to federal programs before being returned to state or institutional aid programs and/or the student. This return of funds allocation will be made in the following specific order and will be applied to all students who have received federal Title IV assistance:

1. Unsubsidized Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

2. Subsidized Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

3. Federal Perkins Loan Program

4. Federal Direct Plus Loan Program

5. Federal Pell Grant Program

6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program

7. Other federal, state, private, or institutional assistance programs; and

8. Student

REFUND OF ROOM CHARGES

Students who reside in University residences for less than a full term will be assessed prorated room charges based on the schedule stipulated in the Student Housing Contract and will be charged a residence hall contract cancellation fee. Students who are evicted from, move from, or otherwise withdraw from University housing during an academic term and who have not been released from the contract will continue to be assessed room charges for the remaining portion of that term.

FINANCIAL AID

Santa Clara University maintains a broadly based program of financial assistance for its students. Administered by the Financial Aid Office, this resource helps bridge the gap between the cost of education and what parents and students can reasonably contribute.

The financial need of each family is estimated from information supplied on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in combination with the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid PROFILE form.

A financial assistance package is prepared for the student based on this estimate and subject to the amount of total aid dollars available and any adjustments made by the Financial Aid Office. Depending on the student�s eligibility, an aid package may include any combination of the following: scholarships, grants, loans, or part-time on-campus employment.

Financial help from the University and other sources should be viewed as supplementary to the efforts of the student and family. Santa Clara University believes that the maximum effort to assist students with college expenses rests with the family. Working together, families and the University can ensure that although the cost of a college education is high, it need not be prohibitive.

More complete information about the University�s financial aid program is available in the Student Financial Services publication, Affording a Santa Clara Education, and also on the Santa Clara Web site at www.scu.edu. Specific questions should be addressed to the Financial Aid Office (408-554-4505).

Third-Child Family Grant

The University offers a special one-half tuition remission to families who have three dependent undergraduate students concurrently enrolled at Santa Clara. The program�s conditions are:

1. all three students must be concurrently enrolled as undergraduates;

2. all three students must be dependent on parents;

3. parents must apply for the program by submitting a letter to the Financial Aid Office requesting the Third-Child Family Grant along with a copy of their latest federal income tax return showing all three students as dependents; and

4. all financial aid deadlines should be followed when applying.

Applications

Aid packages including any combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and on-campus employment may vary in dollar amount each year depending on the student�s family financial circumstances. Packages are renewable annually provided the student fulfills the University�s requirements and reapplies each year by the application priority deadlines indicated below. New undergraduate applicants with completed documents on file by February 1 preceding September enrollment should be notified of their aid eligibility no later than June 1. Undergraduate renewal applicants must reapply by March 2 each year and will receive notification of their aid eligibility prior to fall registration.

To apply for financial aid consideration, a student must submit the following documents by the indicated dates:

1.�Submit required documents

a. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (all students) February 1

b. College Scholarship Service PROFILE (first-time applicants) February 1

2.�Submit supplementary documents (where applicable)

a. Financial aid transcripts (transfer students) May 1

b. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) status document (eligible noncitizens) May 1

c. Student�s U.S. tax returns, if requested May 1

d. Parents� U.S. tax returns, if requested May 1

e. Verification documents, if requested May 1

Qualifications

The selection of students to receive financial aid requires evidence of financial need. Once this criterion has been met, priority of consideration is given to applicants with the highest scholastic attainments. Students of exceptional academic merit should write to the director of the Honors Program.

Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. All other aid recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.0. All financial aid recipients must remain enrolled as full-time students (minimum of 12 quarter units) for each quarter in which aid is received and must make satisfactory progress toward a degree. Please refer to the Academic Standing section for specific criteria on good standing, the Student Classification section, and the �Limitations on Financial Aid Eligibility� insert that is enclosed with your award offer for specific criteria on normal progress. Financial aid may be terminated at any time for serious infractions of the University�s rules and regulations. As a general rule, graduate and professional students will receive consideration for financial aid after undergraduate needs have been met. Ordinarily, financial aid is not available for noncitizens unless they are in the United States permanently and have made application for citizenship. It is the financial aid recipient�s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office immediately of any changes in address, name, marital status, academic status, or family financial situation, or any other change which might affect aid eligibility.

Eligibility for financial aid is for a maximum of 12 quarters. Request for an extension of this maximum must be addressed in writing to the Financial Aid Office. All financial aid awarded will be distributed in equal installments to coincide with the number of academic periods in the year and will be placed as a credit on the student�s account at the Office of Student Accounting Services.

Loans

Because scholarships and grants are limited, many students applying for aid find it most advantageous to finance a portion of their education through a loan program. Among programs available to students are Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Student Loans, and Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Further information may be obtained by consulting the Student Financial Services publication, Affording a Santa Clara Education, and the Santa Clara Web site at www.scu.edu.

Employment

The University maintains Career Center on campus to help students secure part-time work. Students who receive financial aid are expected to contribute as much as possible from their own resources to assist in meeting their costs at Santa Clara.

Tentative Financial Aid Deadlines

Please consult the current edition of Affording a Santa Clara Education, available from the Financial Aid Office and www.scu.edu.

Winter quarter:�December 1

New scholarship and grant consideration:�February 1

Perkins Loan and Work-Study (nonrecipients):�February 1

Spring quarter:�March 1

Cal Grants:�March 2

Financial aid renewal:�March 2

Pell Grants (apply as early as possible):�May 15

These deadlines are tentative and should be confirmed with the Financial Aid Office.

Veterans and Veterans� Dependents Assistance

Santa Clara University is listed by the Department of Veterans Affairs as qualified to receive students under Chapter 35 (veterans� dependents�son or daughter with parent deceased or 100 percent disabled, widow of any person who died in the service or died of a service-connected disability, or wife of a veteran with a 100 percent service-connected disability); Chapter 31 (rehabilitation); Chapter 30 (active duty Montgomery G.I. Bill); Chapter 34 (old G.I. Bill); and Chapter 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans� Educational Assistance Program [VEAP]). Those interested in attending under any of these chapters should contact the Veterans Administration Office in their locality to determine eligibility for benefits.

The state of California provides a program for children of veterans who are deceased or disabled from service-connected causes. Application should be made to the California Department of Veterans Affairs, 350 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102.

Information regarding these programs may be obtained from the Santa Clara University veterans� counselor in the Student Records Office.