Santa Clara University

FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY

Enrollment Status and Financial Aid Eligibility

Undergraduate students receiving financial aid must meet general University eligibility requirements and any applicable eligibility criteria associated with specific federal, state, or University aid programs from which they are receiving support. Financial aid recipients generally must be enrolled as full-time students in a minimum of 12 units each quarter in which aid is received, must be making satisfactory progress toward a degree, and must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Financial aid awards to students who drop below full-time status (i.e., less than 12 units) will be adjusted unless certification for continuing eligibility is granted by the Financial Aid Office. Eligibility for financial aid is limited to a maximum of 12 quarters of undergraduate study. Financial aid awards will cease after the twelfth quarter of enrollment in a post-secondary institution unless certification for continuing eligibility is granted by the Financial Aid Office. Specific financial aid awards may have additional requirements for continuing eligibility.

Academic Standing and Satisfactory Progress Requirements

All financial aid recipients must maintain good academic standing and be making satisfactory progress toward a degree according to the University standards and applicable federal and state regulations. In general, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in courses taken at Santa Clara and must successfully complete at least 75 percent of the cumulative quarter units they attempt. The completion rate is calculated using all quarters of attendance, whether or not the student received financial aid.

Students receiving notification of unsatisfactory progress toward a degree will continue to be eligible for financial aid during the first two quarters of a probationary period. If a student has not improved their cumulative grade point average to at least a 2.0 and improved their cumulative course completion rate to at least 75 percent after two quarters, eligibility for federal and state financial aid will cease. If a student has not improved his or her cumulative grade point average to at least a 2.0 and improved his or her cumulative course completion rate to at least 75 percent after a third quarter, eligibility for University financial aid will cease. Students who lose eligibility for financial aid and later regain good standing must reapply for financial aid. Reinstatement of financial aid will be based on the availability of funds at the time of recertification of eligibility for aid. If a student’s financial aid was cancelled because his or her academic progress did not meet the minimum standards, the student may appeal for reinstatement of financial aid based on serious illness, death or serious illness of an immediate family member, or other compelling circumstances.

Academic Disqualification

Students who have been academically disqualified are ineligible for financial aid. If a student is disqualified for a limited amount of time, the student will lose eligibility for financial aid for that period. The period of disqualification will be considered part of the 12-quarter limitation just as if the student had been in attendance and received aid during the period of temporary disqualification. A student who has been reinstated after disqualification by the University may not be eligible for certain federal, state, or University financial aid programs depending on the specific eligibility requirements and availability of funds.

Disciplinary Probation and Disqualification

Eligibility for financial aid is contingent on a student remaining in good judicial standing at the University. Students who are placed on disciplinary probation for the first time will continue to remain eligible for financial aid, unless otherwise prohibited by federal, state or University regulations. Students who are placed on disciplinary probation a second time within two years of the date the first probation was imposed will lose eligibility for Santa Clara financial aid effective the date the second probation is imposed. Students who are suspended from the University are not eligible to receive financial aid. If a student is placed on disciplinary probation or deferred suspension or is involved in other significant disciplinary matters, their eligibility for financial aid is subject to review by the Office of Student Life and the Financial Aid Office.

Study Abroad and Domestic Public Sector Study Programs

Santa Clara University students participating in study abroad and domestic public sector study programs operated by or affiliated with the University are eligible for SCU financial aid and tuition remission as well as federal and state aid consistent with the policies and practices applicable to students enrolled for on-campus classes. Tuition and room and board rates associated with the specific program will be factored into the determination of the financial aid award consistent with applicable policies and practices. The total amount of tuition remission for the academic year cannot exceed the annual tuition rate for that year. Students with private scholarships should contact the donor for prior approval to use funds for study abroad or domestic study programs. Students from other colleges and universities enrolled in SCU study abroad programs are not eligible for SCU financial aid.

Veterans and Veterans’ Dependents Assistance

Santa Clara University has been certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as qualified to enroll students under applicable federal legislation and regulations, including Chapter 35 (child of a deceased or 100 percent disabled veteran, 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 30/1606 (active duty Montgomery G.I. Bill), Chapter 34 (old G.I. Bill), Chapter 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program), and Chapter 35 (Post 9/11 GI Bill). Individuals interested in attending under any of the veteran’s assistance programs should contact the Veterans Administration and the University Office of the Registrar.