Santa Clara University

Application Deadlines Early Action: November 1 Regular Decision: January 7

Admission requirements: SCU’s admission staff will evaluate your application on several factors:

• The overall quality of your high school courses
• Your cumulative GPA from your first three years of high school; we may also include your first-semester senior year grades
• The quality of the essay you write for your SCU application
• The results of standardized tests—SAT I or ACT
• A recommendation from a counselor or teacher
• Your involvement with your school or community

We may consider other factors as well, such as special talents or an alumni relationship with the University.

Applying: Freshman candidates may apply to SCU’s Early Decision or Regular Decision programs during their senior year in high school. Santa Clara University uses the online Common Application with a few supplemental requirements. All materials must be submitted for an application to be reviewed, so make sure you have everything you need before the deadline. Regular freshman applicants will receive final notice of admissions decisions by the first week of April. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Admission Office.

Apply online

Admission Office contact information

 

Financial Aid: Investing in a high-quality education like the one you’ll receive at Santa Clara is a big decision. The Financial Aid Office is committed to helping you make the right choices for your education. More than 70 percent of our undergraduates and their families receive some kind of financial aid.

• Gift aid, including scholarships and grants. Santa Clara administers a number of privately funded scholarships based on need, merit, honors, academic achievement at Jesuit high schools, or alumni relationships. Qualifications and amounts of these scholarships vary. You may also be offered other gift aid from outside sources.
• Work study, usually part-time jobs at campus offices during the school year. Students work all over campus, supporting everything from admissions to university relations.
• Educational loans, offered by a financial institution. Most students who receive financial aid have a loan as part of their aid package.

In most cases, financial aid is renewable if you maintain a satisfactory GPA and reapply every year; if any portion of your award was need-based, you must continue to demonstrate financial need to qualify.

Applying for financial aid: University, federal, and Cal Grant aid programs all require you and your parents to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS/PROFILE by specific dates. These forms are available at your current school or online at the Financial Aid Office Web site.

We understand that financial aid and paying for college is often complicated and can be confusing. Our staff will be available throughout the process to answer individual questions, help you prepare your applications, and process your awards.

Financial Aid Office

Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid deadline : February 1 Completed FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE forms due Financial aid applications submitted after that date will be considered on a funds-available basis.

Early Action

Applicants wishing to be considered for Early Action should submit all required application materials by the November 1 deadline. The Admissions Committee will evaluate applications and notify students of admission decisions by the end of December. Santa Clara's Early Action program is non-binding.