Santa Clara University

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial aid

Does Santa Clara offer merit-based scholarships?

Yes. Santa Clara focuses financial aid on need-based grants, although exceptional freshman applicants may be chosen for merit-based partial scholarships. Students who join the University Honors Program as freshman receive such merit aid consideration. None of these merit-based scholarships requires special application. Nevertheless, all students interested in financial aid are encouraged to submit information for need-based aid.

Which forms are necessary in applying for need-based aid?

All applicants to the university are very strongly advised to file both the FAFSA and College Scholarship Profile forms before the priority deadline of February 1. Merit-based scholarships do not require special application.

The Office of Financial Aid coordinates all merit-based scholarships, including Honors Program grants.The Financial Aid Web page provides information and on-line versions of necessary forms.

Residential life

Do UHP students live in a separate residence hall?

No. In successive surveys, UHP students have overwhelmingly indicated a distaste for separate "honors" housing arrangements. For that reason, UHP freshman do not live in a single residence unit but are instead associated with three or four residence halls each year. This distribution involves collaboration with the Residential Learning Communities, discussed in the reply to the next question.

How does the University Honors Program relate to Residential Learning Communities (RLCs)?

The UHP and "residential learning communities" collaborate to enhance both the experience of Honors students and the campus learning environment. Since Fall 2000, all freshman students have participated in (RLCs) linked to their locations within the residence halls. Learning communities also draw in freshmen who live off campus.

Simply stated, the RLCs try to build bridges between the classroom and campus life. All arriving first-year students are asked to rank their preferences for RLC assignment and also to state other interests that might influence RLC assignment. The housing office distributes students according to that information. Most students take four classes in the Fall. Two of those are loosely "linked" within their learning communities.

The University Honors Program itself constitutes a community of scholars whose membership helps unite varying disciplines and different living locations. New UHP students usually take two Honors classes in the Fall. Those course also serve as the individual's RLC classes. Honors freshmen fill our their schedule with core courses taught outside the Program. Each year, several RLCs include UHP students by permitting them to use Honors courses as their RLC links. Not every RLC has a program or structure flexible enough for the needs of UHP students. For 2006-07, the daVinci, ALPHA, and Modern Perspectives communities each welcomed about one-third of the incoming UHP class.

Studies & Campus Life

Do students routinely complete both the Honors Program and a standard major in four years? 

Yes. Both levels of the program fit within the normal courses of study in humanities, sciences, business, and engineering. The only caution applies to the more tightly scheduled fields, whose students should be attentive to completing UHP classes early in their university careers.

Do University Honors Program students have time for other activities?

Yes! The students enjoy a full university experience, and many become leaders in campus publications, theater, athletics, student government, multicultural organizations, community service and other organizations.

May UHP students spend all or part of the junior year abroad?

Yes. Participation in the Program creates no obstacles for international study. Beyond the single junior-year fellowship for study at Mansfield College, Oxford, a number of the students study at one of the many campuses available through International Programs at Santa Clara.

About Freshman Applications

I have been accepted to Santa Clara "with distinction." Does this mean I have also been admitted to the University Honors Program? 

Students accepted "with distinction" have shown notable and praiseworthy achievement in high school. Nonetheless, of those accepted "with distinction," only about one in three or four are candidates for the University Honors Program. Therefore, acceptance "with distinction" does not signify admission to the UHP.

I have been awarded a merit scholarship. Does the scholarship include participation in the Honors Program.

No, not necessarily. The selection processes occur independent of each other.

I have submitted an application. When will I know whether I am admitted to the Honors Program?

After May 1st, the deadline for invited students to submit their confirmation form.

The Program always has applications from fine students who cannot be accommodated. Their applications become the basis for the supplemental list. If vacancies occur, the places are filled from the supplemental list. Of course, if a student does not submit a deposit to Santa Clara, his or her name is removed from the supplemental list.

Those accepted from the supplemental list are usually informed in June. Vacancies may also occur over the summer.

More

I received a letter about Phi Beta Kappa. Does this mean that I have qualified for the Honors Program?

No. Such letters let you know that Santa Clara hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national honorary society for students whose majors are included within the College of Arts and Sciences. Phi Beta Kappa chooses its members according to academic success and breadth of study at the university level. For majors in Engineering, the equivalent national honorary society is Tau Beta Pi, and in Business, Beta Gamma Sigma. Alpha Sigma Nu recognizes scholarship and service at Jesuit campuses internationally. All told, Santa Clara is home to chapters of nineteen academic honor societies.

My intended major department has its own "honors program." Is it related to the University Honors Program?

The faculty of several departments have organized special study programs for the students who demonstrate particular aptitude in their fields. For example, the Departments of History and Political Science both sponsor an "honors thesis program" available to their majors. Occasionally, departmental programs share resources with the University Honors Program. Of course, students in the University Honors Program may take full advantage of such educational opportunities throughout the university.