Frequently Asked Questions:The CAAP ProgramThis webpage is designed to answer questions pertaining to the Santa Clara University Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency (CAAP) Program. The questions are separated into four areas: WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IN THE CAAP PROGRAM? Applications are available on the website, beginning in approximately January for the summer program and in May for the academic year program. If space is available, we will process your application as late a week before the first class begins. However, since students are admitted on a rolling basis, applying early secures your space in the program. ARE THERE ANY ADVANTAGES TO SENDING IN MY APPLICATION BEFORE THE DEADLINE? Students who meet the requirements are admitted on a rolling basis. Applying early maximizes your chances of admission and placement in the students preferred cohort. Return to table of contents HOW CAN I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY APPLICATION AND SEE IF I HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE CAAP PROGRAM? Return to table of contents WHEN WILL I BE BILLED AND WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE? You will receive information from the SCU Bursar's office, as well as a student ID number which will allow you to access your account on-line. Because the Summer program takes place over one quarter, payment for the Summer CAAP program is due, in full, prior to the start of the program on or before May 21. Academic Year students are billed quarterly September 21, December 21 and March 21. Return to table of contents WHAT TYPES OF LOAN OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ME? Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans are available for students who choose to complete the FAFSA application a to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please reference the financial aid flyer for the session that you are applying to for more specific information. Any remaining funds needed to cover the cost of the program would need to come from a Private Alternative Loan. For students who would rather borrow the entire amount needed for the program in one loan, you may apply for a Private Alternative Loan up to the Cost of Attendance, through any lender you choose. HOW SHOULD I APPLY FOR LOANS? For Direct Loans, please begin by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. When completing the FAFSA Application, it is critical that you choose "5th year undergraduate" as your grade level on the application. Once you are awarded the federal loan maximum by the Financial Aid Office, please accept the loans on eCampus and complete the required Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling Tutorial online at https://studentloans.gov. Your FAFSA PIN is required to access this secure web site. The loan funds will not disburse to your student account until both requirements have been completed. For Private Alternative Loans, please visit the Financial Aid Office's web site at http://www.scu.edu/financialaid/Private-Alternative-Loans.cfm to obtain information on how to choose a lender and apply online for this loan. When completing the online application for a Private Alternative Loan using your lender's web site, please specify your grade level as "5th year undergraduate" or "undergraduate". The lenders will ask for your grade level on the loan application and it is critical that they understand that you are not in a graduate program. WHAT IS THE TIME LINE FOR THE LOAN APPLICATION PROCESS? In order to have your financial aid completed for the May 21 payment deadline, please begin the financial aid application process when you are admitted to the CAAP program. Once the FAFSA is submitted online, students will receive email notification,through the SCU email address, from the Financial Aid Office when the financial aid award notification, is ready to view/accept/decline on ecampus (generally within 7-10 business days). Once the Direct Loan(s) is(are) accepted on ecampus, complete the required Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling Tutorial online at https://studentloans.gov. Your FAFSA PIN is required to access this secure web site. The loan funds will not disburse to your student account until both requirements have been completed. Important financial aid reminders: Students will need their SCU User ID (W0XXXXXX) and access to ecampus for financial aid purposes. The Financial Aid Office communicates with students using the SCU email address. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center at 408-551-1000 or via email at onestop@scu.edu with any questions throughout the financial aid application process. WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR ENROLLING IN THE CAAP PROGRAM? Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a foreign equivalent. Applicants must submit an official transcript showing receipt of the bachelor’s or master's degree*. If your undergraduate or graduate GPA is 2.5 or lower, you must submit a statement of purpose and a letter of recommendation in addition to transcripts.pplicants must have a bachelorApplicants may also be required to speak with the program director for advanced counseling prior to an admissions decision. * International transcripts must be evaluated by any California Board of Accountancy approved agency found at http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/publications/foreign.pdf. Evaluations must show a U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency and final cumulative grade point average. Students who completed their formal education at a non-English speaking institution must complete the TOEFL exam and submit the results with their application. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 79 (internet based), 213 (computer based), and 550 (paper based). Note: Applicants whose native language is English need not submit TOEFL scores. CAN I ENROLL IN THE CAAP PROGRAM IF I DO NOT HAVE AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE? No, an undergraduate degree is required for admission. I DID NOT MAJOR IN BUSINESS IN COLLEGE AND I DO NOT HAVE A BUSINESS BACKGROUND. CAN I STILL APPLY? Students without business backgrounds have been successful in the program. For students who have not taken any prior university-level accounting courses or who need to refresh their understanding of basic accounting rules, we offer a 5-unit introductory course (ACTG. 180) at the start of the program. Our curriculum provides students with the accounting skills that are necessary for a successful professional career in public and private accounting. DO I NEED TO TAKE ANY TESTS TO ENROLL IN THE CAAP PROGRAM? No. ARE INTERVIEWS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE CAAP PROGRAM? No. The application process may be handled via mail or e-mail, and no visit to the CAN I TAKE CLASSES IN THE CAAP PROGRAM IF I AM ALSO ENROLLED IN AN MBA PROGRAM AT SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY OR AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY? Yes, MBA students are welcome in the CAAP program. However, students in the CAAP program earn undergraduate units, not graduate units. Units earned in the CAAP program cannot be transferred to replace MBA classes at Santa Clara University. ARE THERE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH? Students who completed their formal education in a non-English speaking institution must complete the TOEFL exam and submit the results with their application. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 79 (internet based), 213 (computer based), and 550 (paper based). Applicants whose native language is English need not submit TOEFL scores. DOES THE CAAP PROGRAM ACCEPT TRANSFER CREDIT? The CAAP program will accept only undergraduate or MBA classes taken at Santa Clara University as credits towards the Certificate. However, if your primary objective is completing the 45 quarter accounting units required to sit for the CPA exam, you may elect not to take classes in the CAAP program that are substantially similar to those taken elsewhere. In this case, you would receive credit for the classes taken at Santa Clara University, but would not receive the Certificate. Please consult with the CAAP Director, Dr. Michael Calegari, mcalegari@scu.edu, for more specific guidance. CAN I CONTINUE TO WORK FULL-TIME AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE CAAP PROGRAM? ACADEMIC YEAR: SUMMER: I HAVE PREVIOUSLY TAKEN ACCOUNTING CLASSES IN ANOTHER PROGRAM. DO I STILL NEED TO TAKE THE INTRODUCTORY SEQUENCE? Each applicant requesting to forego ACTG 180 is evaluated on a case by case basis. You may not need to enroll in the introductory sequence, depending on how long ago the classes were taken, and what material was covered. Typically we require students to have taken university level accounting courses and received a grade of "B" or better within the last two years. Please consult with the CAAP Director, Dr. Michael Calegari, mcalegari@scu.edu, for more specific guidance. I AM FAMILIAR WITH BASIC ACCOUNTING RULES BUT I HAVE NOT TAKEN COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES IN A FEW YEARS. SHOULD I TAKE THE INTRODUCTORY SEQUENCE? Yes, it is recommended students enroll in ACTG 180 if he or she has not taken an university level accounting course and earned a grade of "B" or better in the last two years. Students requesting to forego ACTG 180 are evaluated on a case by case basis. Please consult with the CAAP Director, Dr. Michael Calegari, mcalegari@scu.edu, for more specific guidance. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY TAKEN ACTG 301 or ACTG 300 IN THE SCU MBA PROGRAM. SHOULD I TAKE THE INTRODUCTORY SEQUENCE? You may not need to enroll in the introductory sequence, depending on how well you learned and retained the material of ACTG 301, and how long ago the classes were taken. Please consult with the CAAP Director, Dr. Michael Calegari, mcalegari@scu.edu, for more specific guidance. DO ALL PROFESSORS IN THE CAAP PROGRAM HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES? DO YOU USE PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH COURSES IN THE CAAP PROGRAM? CAAP classes are usually taught by regular, full time IS IT POSSIBLE TO FAIL CLASSES IN THE CAAP PROGRAM? Yes. The CAAP classes are academically demanding and some students may not achieve a passing grade. WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING A CLASS IN THE CAAP PROGRAM? A grade of F is considered a failing grade, and the units will not be counted toward certificate requirements. Students that earn a F must meet with the Director of the Program (Dr Calegari) to continue in the program. In the event that you cannot continue in the program, the normal refund rules will apply. Return to table of contents |
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