Skip to main content
Santa Clara University Homepage
Santa Clara University
The Jesuit University in Silicon Valley

First-Year Key Deadlines

  1. Home
  2. Admission
  3. Undergraduate
  4. First-Year Students
  5. First-Year Key Deadlines

Below are the key deadlines based on different admission tracks. 

These deadlines do not shift from year to year, however there are some instances where deadlines are extended on a case by case basis. Please check our unforeseen events page for more information. 

Early Decision I
  • October Last month to take standardized tests for Early Decision applicants who wish to submit scores for consideration
  • November 1 Postmark deadline for Early Decision application
  • November 15 Deadline to submit the CSS Financial Aid/PROFILE for non-merit-based SCU institutional aid consideration.
  • Late December Early Decision applicants notified of admission decision
  • Late December Admitted Early Decision students notified of financial aid package
  • January 7 Postmark deadline for enrollment deposit and official standardized scores
  • February 1 Deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • March 2 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (CA residents only)
Early Decision II
  • December Last month to take standardized tests for Early Decision II applicants who wish to submit scores for consideration
  • January 7 Postmark deadline for Early Decision II application
  • January 15  Deadline to submit the  CSS Financial Aid/PROFILE for non-merit-based SCU institutional aid consideration.
  • February 1 Deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Mid-February Early Decision II applicants notified of admission decision
  • Mid-February Admitted Early Decision II students notified of financial aid package
  • March 1 Deadline for enrollment deposit
  • March 2 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (CA residents only)
Winter First-Year Students
  • October 1 Deadline for Winter First-Year Application
  • October 1 Deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for need-based aid consideration
  • Mid-November Winter First-Year applicants notified of admission decision
  • November 30th Deadline for Winter First-Year enrollment deposit

NOTE: Santa Clara University has adopted a two-year “test optional” policy for first-year and transfer students seeking enrollment beginning in the Winter 2022 and Fall 2022 terms. See more information here.

Early Action
  • October Last month to take standardized tests for Early Action applicant who wish to submit scores for consideration
  • November 1 Postmark deadline for Early Action application
  • November 15 Deadline to submit the CSS Financial Aid/PROFILE for non-merit-based SCU institutional aid consideration.
  • Late December Early Action applicants notified of admission decision
  • Late December Admitted Early Action students notified of financial aid package
  • February 1 Deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • March 2 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (CA residents only)
  • May 1 Postmark deadline for enrollment deposit and official standardized scores
Regular Decision
  • December Last month to take standardized tests for Regular Decision who wish to submit scores for consideration
  • January 7 Postmark deadline for Regular Decision application
  • February 1 Deadline to submit the CSS Financial Aid/PROFILE for non-merit-based SCU institutional aid consideration.
  • February 1 Deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • March 2 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (CA residents only)
  • Late March Regular Decision applicants notified of admission decision
  • April 1 Admitted Regular Decision students notified of financial aid package
  • May 1 Postmark deadline for enrollment deposit and official standardized scores