Santa Clara University

Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding financial aid by current undergraduate students. Contact the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office with any questions not listed.

Do I need to reapply for financial aid every year?
Yes. To reapply for financial aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The deadline to reapply for financial aid is March 2.

Do I have to fill out forms in addition to the required financial aid forms (Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE)?
Yes and No. If you previously were awarded Cal Grant by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), you are not require to complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.  However, California Residents, who were not awarded Cal Grant are encourage and submit the form by March 2 to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).  You do not need to complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, if you are returning student.

Will my financial aid change next year?
If you receive need-based aid, your eligibility and amount of aid may change from year to year. The most common reason is a change in your family's financial situation. There may be other reasons that your eligibility may change, including changes to either the Federal or Institutional Methodology, changes in your financial need, the timeliness of your financial aid application, your grade level, and the availability of federal, state and Santa Clara University assistance. Because of this, we cannot guarantee your level of aid from year to year. This is why you reapply for financial aid each year.

How does the SCU Financial Aid Office communicate to students?

Santa Clara University Financial Aid will communicate with students through a variety of formats. Information that is sent to students from the University via their campus mail box, local address or their Santa Clara University email address is considered official communication and should be treated as such. Students are asked to check their campus mailbox and their Santa Clara University email account on a daily basis, and are responsible for reading and responding to the information they receive from the University. Although the University urges students to use their Santa Clara email address as their primary email, students who will not be checking that address regularly should forward their email to their preferred email account.

Instructions to forward email: http://it.scu.edu/howto/GroupWise/Forward/

What if I want to move off campus after my first year?
When you live on campus, we include the cost of your room and a meal plan in our determination of financial aid. If you move off campus, your cost of room and board will vary.  We use a standard off-campus room and board budget for students living off-campus. We do not adjust room and board budgets for actual expenses.  For the 2007-2008 academic year, the off-campus room & board allowance was $9,288. If you are living with parents or relatives off-campus, the "at home" room and board budget is $3,474.  Generally, the off-campus allowance is less than the cost of on-campus room and board. Therefore, if your contribution remains the same, moving off campus may change your award. Contact the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office to find out if moving off campus will affect your aid.

What if I need an extra quarter of aid?
Santa Clara University students are only eligible for the equivalent of four years of Santa Clara University funding. These twelve quarters may be taken at any time; therefore, if you take a leave of absence and do not receive financial aid elsewhere, you are still eligible for financial aid until your twelfth quarter. If you need additional aid beyond an the twelfth quarter, you must make a written appeal to the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office. Students requiring an additional quarter are eligible for federal financial aid; however, Santa Clara University Grants and Scholarships are contingent upon Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office approval of your written appeal.

What if my family’s financial situation changes?
If there are significant changes to your family’s financial circumstances, please contact the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office.

If I receive a private scholarship, how will this affect my eligibility for aid?
Any scholarships or awards from private donors, civic organizations, corporations, foundations or other group are considered outside awards. If you receive an outside award, your financial aid will be adjusted accordingly. Contact the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office to find out the private scholarship will affect your aid

What happens to my financial aid eligibility if I get married?
You will not necessarily receive more financial assistance if you get married. According to federal regulations, you are still dependent on your parents for the academic year if you get married after you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Dependency status cannot be updated based on marriage until the following academic year. If you are married prior to filing the FAFSA, you will be considered an independent student for federal financial aid. This means that your parents will not need to provide financial information on the FAFSA; they also will not have to sign your application.

How does Santa Clara University handle scholarships you receive that are not included on your original Financial Aid Award notification?
The treatment of the award will depend on the source of the funds.

Santa Clara University funds Funds later awarded to you by a Santa Clara University department or program are considered to be part of the original scholarship/grant offer made to you. These later-awarded funds are not supplemental to your original award and your original award will be adjusted accordingly.

Private scholarships To the extent permissible by state, federal and other University regulations, we will attempt to coordinate your receipt of private awards so that no adjustment is necessary to the financial aid already offered to you. If it becomes necessary to adjust your award, we will first eliminate loans, then work study, and finally aid awarded from Santa Clara University.  Private scholarship checks should be sent by the awarding organization to the Santa Clara Financial Aid Office as soon as possible to insure timely processing.

State and Federal Grants Individual program requirements and restrictions will govern award coordination. Typically, state and federal aid is need based and an award adjustment may be required unless you demonstrate a remaining unmet need according to your FAFSA. You will be contacted as soon as possible if it becomes necessary to adjust financial aid already awarded.

Will my merit aid increase each year?
With the exception of the Santa Clara University Presidential at Entry and the Provost Scholarship awards, all merit awards are fixed amounts and are not indexed to changes in tuition, therefore they will not increase annually.  You are required to maintain specific program eligibility requirements in order to retain your merit award.