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Financial Aid

Graduate Aid Programs

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Santa Clara University Aid

The Financial Aid Office does not determine graduate school scholarships, fellowships or grants. You should contact your graduate school for information about how to apply for your graduate school's scholarships, fellowships and grants.

Federal Aid

The Financial Aid Office offers federal grants, student employment and federal loans to graduate students.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH Grant) program provides a federal grant to post-baccalaureate and graduate students who agree to serve for at least four years as full-time teachers in high-need fields in public or not-for-profit private elementary or secondary schools that serve students from low-income families.

NOTE: If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to an unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education. You will be charged interest from the date the grant was disbursed and will need to pay back interest as well as accruing interest for the rest of your repayment period.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study allows graduate students to earn money to help cover non-billable educational expenses by working at Santa Clara University or at authorized nonprofit organizations. For more information, view our Federal Work-Study Employment Information Guide.

  • Need-based
  • FAFSA required

Golden State Teacher Grant

Students who are planning to earn a credential in a high-need field and who commit to teach at a priority school, as deemed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), may qualify to receive a Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) of up to $10,000.

For more information about the program, including how to apply, visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Federal Direct Loan

The Ford Federal Direct Loan program provides low-interest loans for graduate students to help pay for their educational expenses.

Graduate Federal Direct Loan Limits

  • $20,500 annual borrowing limit
  • $138,500 maximum aggregate borrowing limit

IMPORTANT: When considering borrowing a federal student loan, you should also understand repayment options.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

The Direct PLUS Loan provides an additional borrowing option for graduate students.

  • Non-need-based
  • FAFSA required as well as a credit check
  • Must be enrolled at least half-time
  • For Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025, and before July 1, 2026, the interest rate is 8.94%. This is a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan.
  • Must complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN)

After you completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and received a Financial Aid award from the Financial Aid Office, you may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan at StudentAid.gov.

NOTE: If you are denied a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan due to credit issues, you have the following options:

  • You may be approved with an endorser (co-signer)
  • You may appeal the credit decision directly with the Direct Loan Department at StudentAid.gov or by calling 1-800-557-7394.

IMPORTANT: When considering borrowing a federal student loan, you should also understand repayment options.

Federal Loan Updates starting July 2026

The federal loan information listed above reflects federal policy until June 30, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026, federal loan policies are expected to change with the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). 

We encourage students to review official updates and additional details here: Federal Policy Updates.

Private Aid

Private Scholarships

In addition to Santa Clara University, there are plenty of scholarships sponsored by corporations, civic organizations, religious organizations and other groups.

NOTE: If you have been awarded a scholarship from an outside organization, please provide the donor with our contact information. All correspondences and scholarship checks should be sent to the Financial Aid Office.

Private Student Loans

Private student loans may provide other sources of funding for students who have exhausted or who are ineligible for federal student loans.

Private student loan lenders have their own application and repayment terms, you should review all terms and disclosures before applying for one of these credit-based loan alternatives. As you consider your borrowing options, you should keep in mind that federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including income-based repayment plans, and loan forgiveness benefits, which private loans are not required to provide. Federal Direct loans are also available to students regardless of income.

Santa Clara University does not promote nor endorse any particular private student loan lender.

IMPORTANT: You should first consider federal loan funding and then, if additional funding is needed, apply for a private student loan.

What are the differences between federal and private student loans?

Federal student loans are made by the government, with terms and conditions that are set by law, and include many benefits (such as fixed interest rates and income-driven repayment plans) not typically offered with private loans.


In contrast, private loans are made by private organizations such banks, credit unions, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations, and have terms and conditions that are set by the lender. Private student loans are generally more expensive than federal student loans. Click here for a summary view of the differences between federal and private student loans. 

How to Choose a Private Loan

If you decide to pursue a private student loan, it’s smart to compare several options to find what best fits your needs.

You can use the ELM Select tool to view and compare private loan terms from lenders most commonly used by Santa Clara graduate students:
ELM Select for Graduate Students

You are not limited to the lenders listed on ELM Select. You may apply with any lender offering a program that works for your situation. Most private loan applications can be completed online.

Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Private Loan

  • What is the interest rate? Is it fixed or variable? Is there a cap?
  • Are there any fees? When are they charged?
  • Is there a grace period before repayment starts?
  • What will my monthly payment be?
  • What is the total repayment cost over the life of the loan?
  • Are there prepayment penalties?
  • Are deferment or forbearance options available if needed?

Private Education Loan Lenders are required by law to provide borrowers with a "Right to Cancel" period before any funds can be disbursed to the school. 

Right To Cancel a Private Loan

The “Right to Cancel” period begins after:

  • The lender receives the Private Education Loan Application Self-Certification Form and the loan certification form the school, and 
  • All other required documents have been submitted to the lender by the borrower.

The timing of disbursement may vary depending on your lender’s policies.  Please contact your lender directly to confirm the specific date your loan funds will be released to Santa Clara University.