Santa Clara University

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

How do I apply for financial aid at Santa Clara University?
To apply for financial aid at Santa Clara University you need only to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA may be obtained at the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office or completed and submitted online using FAFSA on the Web. In addition, you will need to complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.

What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
For each academic school year, in order to receive maximum consideration for aid your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received by the Federal processor on or before February 1, whether you are an Early Action Applicants or a Regular Action Applicants. In addition, you will need to have completed the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE before the November 15 priority deadline (Early Action Applicants) or February 1 for Regular Action Applicants.

What if I am unable to meet the deadlines for applying for financial aid?
You may still complete a FAFSA after February 1 however; eligibility for some types of aid may be limited.

In order to receive financial aid do I have to apply every year?
Yes. In order to receive consideration for as many programs as possible, the Federal processor should receive a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

What documents and information do I need to complete my FAFSA?
In order to complete your FAFSA, you will need the following:

• Your Social Security number;
• Your driver's license number, if you have one;
• Your W-2 Forms;
• Your federal income tax return;
• Your current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments;
• Your records of other untaxed income received, such as Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), welfare or veteran's benefits;
• Your business or farm records, if applicable;
• Your alien registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen.
• If you are a dependent student, you will also need:
• Your parent(s)' Social Security number(s);
• Your parent(s)' income and financial records (as listed above).
• Use income records for the calendar year prior to the academic year for which you are applying for financial aid. For example, use 2007 income information to complete the 2008-2009 FAFSA.

What is Santa Clara University’s Federal School Code?
Santa Clara University’s Federal School Code is 001326.

What is Santa Clara University’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE school code?
Santa Clara University’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE is 4851.

Will I receive more financial aid if I apply for admission in the early action or in the regular decision cycle?
Timing of admission is not a factor. Thus, any financial aid decision we make would be the same regardless of whether you apply early action or regular admission.

What is the income cutoff for financial aid eligibility?
There is no income cutoff since income alone is not the only consideration.  For need-based aid, we consider income, tax liability, family size, medical expenses, standard living expenses, where you live in the country (some areas are more expensive than others), your parents' assets, their ages and whether they have protection for their retirement years. So many factors make each family's financial situation unique that we cannot make our judgments on income alone.

Should I wait until my parents finish their tax forms before I complete my financial aid forms?
No. You can complete the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE financial aid applications based on reasonable estimates of your family's prior year income.

If my parents are divorced or separated, which parent should complete the FAFSA?
You should answer the questions using information about the parent that you lived with more during the past 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, give answers about the parent who provided the most financial support for you (e.g. money, gifts, loans, housing, food, clothes, medical expenses). Child support payments from your other parent will be taken into consideration, and information about the income and assets of any stepparent must also be provided. We realize that these situations can be sensitive and complicated. Please feel free to discuss your individual circumstances with one of our counselors. All information will remain confidential.

What is a Student Aid Report (SAR)?
The Student Aid Report (SAR) is a report sent to the student from the Central Processing System (CPS). The student or family for its accuracy should review the SAR. If accurate, the SAR should be kept by the student or family for their records. If inaccurate, it should be corrected, signed by the appropriate individuals and returned to the processor.

How is financial need determined?
Eligibility for most financial aid is contingent on your financial need. Financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance and your expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is calculated from the information you supply on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using a federally legislated formula used by postsecondary educational institutions across the nation.

Financial need is determined as: Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution equals Financial Need

What are the requirements to be considered an independent student?
In determining whether you are independent, the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office is required to adhere to the standard definition of independent status as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education. According to this definition, you will be considered an independent student for the 2008-2009 Academic Year if you:

• were born before January 1, 1985;
• are an orphan or ward of the court until age 18;
• are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces;
• are married at the time of filing;
• are working on a master's or doctorate degree program;
• have children who receive more than half of their support from you; or
• have legal dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you.

Should I use a Scholarship Search Service?
These companies are not recommended by Santa Clara University Financial Aid Office. Many have been found to be fraudulent at worst and misleading at best. Do not be fooled by the money-back guarantee. It is virtually impossible to get your money back. The services provided by these companies can be done on your own by researching scholarship publications at a library or using a variety of free scholarship searches on the web.

Does Santa Clara University offer Merit Scholarships?
Yes. Santa Clara University currently awards merit scholarships to students. Presidential Scholars at Entrance (full tuition awards), Provost Scholars (half tuition awards) and Dean’s Scholarships from Santa Clara University’s three academic disciplines (Engineering, Arts and Sciences and Business) are available. Additional awards may include SCU Scholarship, Honors Scholarships, some Jesuit Ignatian Awards as well as National Merit Scholarships. For some scholarships, special consideration is given for exceptional ability or performing arts talent. These awards include Athletic, Theater Arts and Dance, Music, Debate and Forensics.