Santa Clara University

Financial Aid - Scholarships and Grants

Financial Aid Office

Scholarships and Grants

Santa Clara University scholarships and grants comprise the majority of aid to our student. In fact, about 70 percent of our undergraduate students receive scholarship assistance directly from Santa Clara University either in the form of our merit-based awards and/or need-based awards. Add to that federal- and state-sponsored grants and scholarships from other sources, and you will see how common it is for our students to get the aid they deserve.

All Graduate Financial Aid Student including Law Students, the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office does not select award recipients for departmental aid. Please contact your appropriate Graduate School for information about these types of awards.

Tax Note About Scholarships and Fellowships, treatment of scholarships and fellowships under the IRS publication 970 and Tax Topic 421 of the Internal Revenue Code provide that you may exclude from your gross income only scholarship and fellowships amounts used for:

  • Tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an educational organization;
  • Books, supplies and equipment required for courses of instruction.

Amount used for other expenses, such as room and board, are includable as income.

Notwithstanding the above, any amounts received that represent payment for teaching, research or other services required as a condition for receiving the scholarship or fellowship grant are also includable as income.

If all or a portion of a scholarship is granted in return for services, such as teaching or research preformed by a student, that portion of the scholarship or fellowship would be considered wages, and Santa Clara University would be required to withhold taxes and comply with related reporting requirements.  In that case of all other scholarship and fellowship recipients, it is not required that Santa Clara University withhold income taxes and/or file information returns (Form 1099) with the IRS, and we will not do so.  You are responsible for keeping your own records for any reporting that may be required.