Santa Clara University

The Financial Aid Office is interested in helping you finance your education at Santa Clara University. Here are some financial aid resources you may find helpful:

Financial Aid Applications

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  The U.S. Department of Education's webpage 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
  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) website.

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.
• Net Price Calculator
  This calculator is a federally mandated tool that can help you determine your estimated college financial aid award. This calculator is meant to be used as a tool for prospective students. It will not provide returning students or graduate students with an accurate estimate.

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 Affordability and Transparency Center - College Scorecard
  An online tool giving college-bound students and their families information about colleges and universities: costs, graduation rates, student debt statistics and earning potential of graduates.
• Educational Credit Management Corporation: Financial Awareness Basics
  An excellent online tool, resource and financial calculator, the interactive website 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.
• 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.
• Federal Student Aid
  Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education. This is an excellent website devoted to furthering students and parents understanding of federal financial aid.

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.

Tax Benefits

• 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.
• Higher Education Tax Benefits - 2012 Tax Year
  Published by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), this brochure summarizes tax benefits is intended to assist parents and students considering or currently paying for higher education.
• • American Opportunity Credit
    This credit provides up to $2,500 per student and up to $1,000 of the credit can be refunded if your credit is more than you owe in taxes.
  • Lifetime Learning Credit
    This credit provides up to $2,000 per tax return (not per student). Unlike the American Opportunity Tax Credit, this credit is non-refundable so the maximum credit is limited to the amount of tax you owe.
  • Student Loan Interest Deduction
    This deduction allows you to deduct interest paid on student loans for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents. It can reduce your taxable income by as much as $2,500. The amount of the Student Loan Interest Deduction you are eligible for depends on the amount of interest paid and your income.
  • Tuition and Fee Deduction
    This deduction can reduce your taxable income by as much as $4,000 and may benefit you if you are not eligible for any of the tax credits.