Santa Clara University

Financial Aid Applications

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  The U.S. Department of Education’s Web page where you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically.
• CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
  Incoming undergraduate freshmen and incoming transfer students need to complete this form.
• Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN)
  The U.S. Department of Education’s page where you request a personal identification number to electronically sign financial aid forms.
• Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (California Residences Only)
  All California resident undergraduate students who are not currently receiving a Cal Grant need to complete this form. This form is available at the Financial Aid Office and/or California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Web site.

General Financial Aid Information

• California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)
  Provides information on the Cal Grant Program, other State programs and the California State ScholarShare Program.
• College.gov
  Created by the U.S. Department of Education, college.gov is an interactive Web site preparing students for college
• College is Possible!
  A resource for students and parents that includes information about preparing for, selecting and paying for a college education. .
• CollegeBoard Online
  An excellent overview of financial aid, as well as calculators with which you may estimate your family's contribution.
• Educational Credit Management Corporation: Financial Awareness Basics
  An excellent online tool, resource and financial calculator, the interactive Web site helps users discover ways to pay for college costs, learn how to make informed financial decisions and maintain a healthy balance between academics and campus life.  
• The Federal Student Aid Gateway
  A source for free information, guidance and tools for federal student assistance from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid.
• FinAid! A SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
  A comprehensive site on financial aid, this site provides links to major scholarship and loan sources as well.
• The Office of Student Financial Assistance
  The office within the U.S. Department of Education which handles financial aid. This is an excellent Web site devoted to furthering students and parents understanding of federal financial aid.
• Studentjobs.gov
  Created as a joint project by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Financial Assistance Office for students who are interested in jobs in the federal government.

Financial Aid Glossary

• Terms to Know
  We understand that financial aid is often an incomprehensible language. This glossary will help you understand financial aid in simple terminology.

Payment Options

• Tuition Payment Plans
  Through Tuition Management Systems, Santa Clara University offers an interest-free monthly payment plan, which allows tuition and on-campus housing to be paid in monthly installments.
• Dewars Tuition Insurance
  Santa Clara University has partnered with A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. to offer an optional Tuition Refund Plan (TRP). This plan is designed to protect a student's educational investment should it be necessary to leave Santa Clara University for medical reasons after the term begins.

Tax Credit

• 2009 Tax Benefits for Higher Education Brochure
  This brochure covers a variety of important tax topics related to higher education.
  
• IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education
  Information about federal programs designed to support higher education by providing tax benefits to students and their families. The most commonly used tax benefits include:
• The Hope Scholarship Credit
  A nonrefundable tax credit for out-of-pocket tuition expenses. You can deduct 100 percent of the first $1,200 spent on tuition and other qualified expenses, plus 50 percent of the next $1,200, for the first two years of post-secondary education. Maximum credit is $1,800.
• Lifetime Learning Credit
  A tax credit of up to $2,000 (20 percent of the first $10,000) for educational expenses.
• Coverall Education Savings Account (Education IRA)
  Families can contribute up to $2,000 per year tax free for each child under 18 in the child’s name toward education expenses.
• Student Loan Interest Deduction
  Interest paid on education loans can be deducted up to $2,500, even if the tax filer does not itemize deductions.

Financial Aid Calculators

• FAFSA4caster
  The U.S. Department of Education tool designed to help students and their families plan for college. FAFSA4caster provides students with an early estimate of their eligibility for federal student financial assistance.  
• FinAid! A SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid Calculators
  Offers online calculators on a wide range of student finance issues from needs analysis to loan repayment.
• CollegeBoard Calculators
  A calculators for everything from Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to loan repayment.

Free Online Scholarship Searches

• College Board Scholarship Search
  A database of scholarships, internships and other financial aid programs from 2,300 sources.
• FastAid! A SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
  A database of awards for undergraduate through postgraduate studies.
• FastWeb: Scholarships, Financial Aid and Colleges
  One of the first free online search services with a database of more than 400,000 scholarships
• Gates Millennium Scholarships
  Learn about scholarships for outstanding African American,s, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Americans, Asian American or Pacific Americans that are funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the United Negro College Fund.

• Research Financial Aid and Scholarships for African Americans
• United Negro College Fund
• Multiple Web sites to research Financial Aid and Scholarships for Hispanic Americans
• Latino College Dollars
• Hispanic College Fund
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
• Multiple Web sites to research Financial Aid and Scholarships for Native Americans
• The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)
• American Indian College Fund
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society