Santa Clara University Scholarships (2025–2026 Guide)

Santa Clara University Scholarships (2025–2026)

← Back to the University Scholarships hub • See California state aid

What This Page Covers:
  • Average net price & what families actually pay
  • Automatic merit (incl. full-tuition Presidential) & typical qualifiers
  • Honors-based full-tuition Johnson Scholars
  • Testing policy, deadlines, and stacking tips

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~47%
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1320–1470
  • Middle 50% ACT: 29–33
  • Average HS GPA: ~3.9 (unweighted)

Source: SCU Common Data Set 2024–25. Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

SCU at a Glance

🏆 Presidential at Entry Scholarship: Full Tuition (automatic) — see Automatic Merit for details.
Average Net Price
$49,651
What families actually paid on average (NCES)
Automatic Merit
$5,000–$25,000/yr • Top tier: Full Tuition (Presidential)
Admission-based; no extra application
Typical Qualifiers
3.9+ GPA • 1450+ SAT or 32+ ACT (for top awards)
Ranges shift by year & funding
Testing Policy
Test-optional; superscore if submitted
See Official Links to confirm
Key Deadlines
EA: Nov 1 • RD: Jan 7 • Aid Forms: by priority
Use the earlier of admission/scholarship
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Automatic: Presidential (Full Tuition) • Honors: Johnson Scholars (Full Tuition)
Check stacking & fee exclusions
Honors College
Johnson Scholars — full tuition (invitation-only)
Perks: mentoring, research, leadership
Residency & Waivers
Private Jesuit — no reciprocity
Aid available to U.S. & international students
– Scholarship GPA/test bands are approximate and can shift with the year’s applicant pool and funding.
Last verified: October 11, 2025

Santa Clara University is one of the rare private universities where the automatic merit ladder can reach a true full tuition award. The Presidential at Entry Scholarship is automatic (no separate application) for a small cohort of top admits, while the Johnson Scholars Program in the Honors sphere also provides full tuition plus mentoring and leadership development.

Use the cards above to gauge typical merit ranges, testing policy, and deadlines. Then jump to the Automatic and Honors sections to see how awards stack and where your student could land.

FAQ

Is the Presidential Scholarship automatic? Yes. SCU’s Presidential at Entry Scholarship is awarded at admission to a small set of top applicants and covers full tuition.

Is Johnson Scholars part of Honors? Yes. Johnson Scholars is an honors-level, invitation-only full-tuition program with mentoring and enrichment.

What’s the average net price? About $49,651 after aid (NCES; varies by income).

Is SCU test-optional? Yes. SCU remains test-optional and will superscore if you submit scores.

Sources:
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-admission/
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-admission/apply/first-year/
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-admission/first-year-applicants/standardized-testing-policy/
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-admission/academics/honors-programs/johnson-scholars/
https://www.scu.edu/institutional-research/common-data-set/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/santa-clara-university
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?122931-Santa-Clara-University

💰 Cost of Attendance at Santa Clara University

Expense In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12+ units) $63,513 $63,513
Housing & Meals (on-campus average) $19,446 $19,446
Total (before aid) $82,959 $82,959

Note: Books, transportation, and personal expenses (estimated ≈ $5,625 per year) are not included above because they aren’t billed directly by the university.

Average Federal Net Price: $49,651 (NCES 2022–2023). This is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships — no loans included.
Reciprocity / Regional Programs:
Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit institution and does not offer in-state discounts or participate in WUE or reciprocity programs. All students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency. Merit and need-based aid determine actual cost.

Cost of Attendance FAQs

Does SCU have in-state tuition?
No — private universities like Santa Clara charge the same tuition for all students, regardless of residency.

How much does the average student really pay?
The average family pays around $49,651 after grants and scholarships (based on federal data for 2022–23).

Do I need both FAFSA and CSS Profile?
Yes. Santa Clara requires both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile for students seeking institutional need-based aid.

Sources:
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-financial-aid/tuition-and-fees/
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-financial-aid/apply/first-year/
https://www.scu.edu/institutional-research/common-data-set/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/santa-clara-university
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?122931-Santa-Clara-University

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Presidential at Entry Scholarship Full tuition Automatic for first-year admits; top 5–10% of admitted students; 3.9–4.0 GPA, typically 1450+ SAT / 33+ ACT, exceptional service/leadership, and rigorous coursework No Yes — up to 12 quarters High academic achievers with broad AP/IB classes and leadership (national awards help) Jan 7 (Regular), Nov 1 (Early Action/Decision)
Provost Scholarship Half tuition Automatic for first-year admits; usually 3.8+ GPA, 1400+ SAT / 32+ ACT; strong academic record and leadership No Yes — up to 12 quarters Upper-tier admits, solid grades, and notable service/community impact Jan 7 / Nov 1
Dean’s Scholarship Partial tuition (fixed amount; varies) Automatic for first-year admits to Arts & Sciences, Business, or Engineering; 3.6+ GPA required; international and US applicants eligible No Yes — up to 12 quarters; must keep 3.0 GPA Broad group of admits with solid academics, typically 1260+ SAT / 27+ ACT Nov 15 (preferred); final Jan 7
Bronco Scholarship Varies (institutional merit; up to $5,000/year) Admitted first-years; academic performance plus diversity or unique background No Yes — up to 12 quarters Admits who add geographic, cultural, or other diversity; strong advocates; ~3.7+ GPA Jan 7
Sources:
Santa Clara University Merit Scholarships – scu.edu/financialaid/undergraduates/merit-scholarships.html
SCU Academic Scholarships & Grants – scu.edu/financialaid/undergraduates/scholarships-grants.html
SCU Johnson Scholars Program – scu.edu/johnsonscholars/
SCU Financial Aid FAQ – scu.edu/financialaid/faq/
SCU Undergraduate Bulletin 2025–26 – scu.edu/academics/bulletins/undergraduate/

🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Presidential Scholarship Up to full tuition (4 years) Top 5–10% of admitted students; exceptional academics & leadership No — automatic consideration Yes — maintain 3.5 GPA ≈3.9+ GPA; 1450+ SAT / 33+ ACT; high engagement/service Jan. 7 (Reg. Decision)
Johnson Scholars Program (Honors) Full tuition + room/board + books + summer stipend Admitted first-years; must apply to University Honors; U.S. citizens/permanent residents Yes — via Honors application/finalist process Yes — up to 12 quarters ~4.0 GPA, 1450+ SAT / 33+ ACT, leadership/service, competitive finalist pool Mar. 21 (Honors/Johnson deadline)
Robert Warren Scholarship (Honors) Up to $40,000/year Selected from Johnson Scholar finalists; Honors College only No — automatic from finalist pool Yes — annual, up to 12 quarters ~3.9+ GPA; 1400+ SAT / 32+ ACT; finalist-level leadership Mar. 21 (Honors/Johnson deadline)
Bronco Scholarship Varies ($2,000–$18,000) Admitted first-years; strong academics plus contribution to campus diversity No — admission review only Yes — up to 12 quarters, academic progress required 3.7–3.9 GPA; 1300+ SAT / 29+ ACT; diverse backgrounds, leadership/service Jan. 7 (Reg. Decision); Nov. 1 (Early)
*Estimates are based on SCU admissions data and verified sources. Actual thresholds and selection criteria may change year to year.

FAQ

  • How many Johnson Scholars are awarded? Only ~5 students are chosen each year from Honors finalist pool.
  • Is there an extra application? Yes — Johnson and Robert Warren require Honors application/finalist process; Bronco and Presidential are automatic upon admission review.
  • Are scholarships renewable? Yes — all listed awards renew for up to 12 quarters with continued academic eligibility.
  • Do test scores matter? Yes — SCU will superscore SAT/ACT if submitted, but test-optional admissions are also considered.
  • What are typical deadlines? Johnson/Robert Warren tied to Honors (Mar. 21), Bronco/Presidential to first-year apps (Nov. 1 — Early Action/Decision, Jan. 7 — Regular).
Sources:
Santa Clara University Financial Aid – https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/scholarships-and-grants/
SCU Merit Scholarships – https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/merit-scholarships/
Johnson Scholars Program – https://www.scu.edu/honors/johnson/
SCU Bronco Scholarship – https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/university-grants/
Honors College Scholarship Info – https://www.scu.edu/honors/
SCU Scholarship Deadlines – https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/deadlines/

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These aren’t the headline “automatic” or “flagship/competitive” awards—but they can quietly shave thousands off costs through research stipends, study abroad funding, first-gen support, and ROTC tuition benefits.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
LEAD Scholars Micro-Scholarship Fund Small awards (hundreds–low thousands) First-generation students in the LEAD program; used for tuition gaps or urgent needs Yes — internal request No (one-time) Active LEAD participants with documented financial shortfall Rolling / As needed
Black Excellence Scholarship Fund Varies; usually several thousand dollars Self-identified Black undergraduates with demonstrated financial need; preference to first-gen No — automatic with FAFSA + CSS Profile Yes — if financial need continues Students showing both need and campus engagement; strong fit for first-gen Black students Feb. 1 (FAFSA/CSS priority)
Jesuit Ignatian Award ~$2,500–$5,000/year First-year admits graduating from a Jesuit high school No — automatic with admission Yes Students from Jesuit high schools in the U.S. Nov. 1 / Jan. 7 (admission)
Cristo Rey Promise ~$5,000/year Graduates of Cristo Rey high schools nationwide No — automatic with admission Yes Admitted Cristo Rey graduates in good academic standing Nov. 1 / Jan. 7 (admission)
SCU California Promise Grant Bridges full need for Cal Grant-eligible Californians First-year California residents who qualify for Cal Grant + have unmet need No — based on FAFSA + CSS Profile Yes — if Cal Grant & need continue Low- to middle-income CA families qualifying for Cal Grant Feb. 1 (FAFSA/CSS priority)
Award amounts are based on university descriptions and recent reports; specific dollar values may shift each year.
  • Departmental Scholarships (e.g., Accounting Dept. $86k annual pool; Music auditions; senior prizes)
  • Bronco Bench Foundation athletic scholarships (endowed funds for student-athletes)
  • National Fellowships Office support for external awards like Truman, Fulbright, etc.

FAQ

  • Can these combine with my SCU merit? Often yes, especially stipends (research, service, study abroad). Tuition-targeted awards (e.g., ROTC) follow federal/University stacking caps.
  • Are these need-based or merit-based? Many are selection-based with mission/fit criteria; some consider need (e.g., LEAD microgrants) while others fund defined projects (REAL, Donovan).
  • When do I apply? Fall–winter for summer fellowships; study abroad scholarships follow program terms; Army ROTC runs national HS boards (senior year) plus campus-based options.
  • Do these reduce tuition or living costs? Stipends offset living/research/travel; ROTC can cover tuition/fees directly.
Sources:
Santa Clara University Financial Aid – https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/scholarships-and-grants/
LEAD Scholars Program – https://www.scu.edu/leadscholars/scholarships/
Jesuit Ignatian Award – https://www.scu.edu/alumni/awards/
SCU California Promise Grant – https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/university-grants/
SCU Cristo Rey Promise – https://www.scu.edu/undergraduate-financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
Departmental Awards/Fellowships – https://www.scu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/

🎖️ University Honors Program

Santa Clara doesn’t have a separate Honors College, but its University Honors Program (UHP) provides an enriched academic track. It’s designed for students who want smaller classes, faculty mentorship, and research opportunities layered on top of SCU’s Jesuit tradition and Silicon Valley access.

What a Typical SCU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA near 4.0, rigorous AP/IB coursework, strong writing ability, and active leadership/service roles. Test scores, if submitted, often fall in the 1400+ SAT / 32+ ACT range. Estimate
Perks That Matter:
  • Priority class registration each quarter
  • Dedicated Honors housing options for first-years
  • Small, discussion-based seminars with top faculty
  • Senior capstone thesis or research project with mentorship
  • Enhanced advising and support for fellowships/grad school
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Johnson Scholars Program Full tuition + room & board + books + stipend Incoming first-years; must apply to Honors; U.S. citizens only Yes — via Honors application/finalist process Yes — up to 12 quarters ≈4.0 GPA, 1450+ SAT / 33+ ACT, leadership & service record. Estimate Mar. 21 (Selection Day)
Apply to SCU by Jan. 7
Robert Warren Scholarship Up to $40,000/yr Incoming first-years; chosen from Johnson finalist pool No — automatic from finalist pool Yes — annual ≈3.9+ GPA, 1400+ SAT / 32+ ACT, strong leadership. Estimate Mar. 21 (Selection Day)
Apply to SCU by Jan. 7
Oxford Scholarship Mansfield College tuition & housing Honors juniors; separate internal application Yes — via Study Abroad/Honors application No (one-time) Competitive juniors with strong academics & faculty endorsement Dec. 4
Osberg Fellowship Up to $3,000 Honors sophomores/juniors; GPA 3.3+ Yes — Honors application No (one-time) Sophomores or juniors with research plan and faculty mentor Dec. 4
Hayes Fellowship Up to $6,000 Honors sophomores/juniors; GPA 3.3+ Yes — Honors application No (one-time) Sophomores or juniors with research plan and faculty mentor Dec. 4
*Estimates are based on SCU materials, past awardee profiles, and published student stats. Actual thresholds shift each year.
  • Oxford Scholarship – Funds one junior Honors student each year to study abroad at Mansfield College, Oxford.
  • Osberg Fellowship – Up to $3,000 for Honors sophomores/juniors to support summer research wages or domestic travel.
  • Hayes Fellowship – Up to $6,000 for Honors students’ summer research, study, or supply costs; available to sophomores/juniors.

FAQ

  • Is admission automatic? No — students are invited to apply after admission to SCU. Highly selective review.
  • Does it add time to my degree? No — Honors courses fulfill core curriculum requirements.
  • When do I apply? Invitations are sent with admission offers; Early Action/Decision admits get priority.
  • Are there extra scholarships? Yes — flagship scholarships like Johnson and Robert Warren are tied to Honors; additional research fellowships open once enrolled.
  • What are the key deadlines? Apply to SCU by Jan. 7 for fall entry; Honors fellowships (Oxford, Osberg, Hayes) typically due Dec. 4 for juniors/sophomores.
Sources:
SCU Honors Program – https://www.scu.edu/honors/
Johnson Scholars Selection – https://www.scu.edu/honors/johnson/selection-process/
Robert Warren Scholarship – https://www.scu.edu/honors/johnson/
Oxford Scholarship & Fellowships – https://www.scu.edu/honors/scholarships/
Honors Fellowships/Research – https://www.scu.edu/honors/scholarships/
SCU Scholarship Deadlines – https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/deadlines/

⭐ What Santa Clara University Is Known For

Santa Clara University thrives at the intersection of rigorous academics, Jesuit values, and Silicon Valley opportunity. For students who want both strong technical skills *and* leadership, SCU delivers. You’ll find excellent teaching, hands-on projects, and real access to internships and companies right outside your classroom.

Top Program Spotlight:
Leavey School of Business – Entrepreneurship & Finance is nationally ranked: in U.S. News & World Report’ s 2025 Best Colleges, SCU’s Entrepreneurship program is tied for **No. 18**, and its Finance program tied for **No. 19**. *Best Known For*: preparing students for startups, finance careers, and business leadership in Silicon Valley. *(Note: SCU is *not* an R1 university; its Carnegie classification is “Doctoral/Professional Universities.”)*
  • Engineering – SCU engineering is ranked among top schools nationally in “Best Engineering Majors” by College Factual: #7 in the U.S., and #3 in California.
  • Undergraduate Teaching – U.S. News ranks SCU No. 17 (tied) nationally for Undergraduate Teaching.
  • Management Information Systems (MIS) – SCU is tied for No. 20 in the U.S. in U.S. News for MIS.
  • Accounting – SCU’s accounting program ranks tied No. 56 nationally.
  • Computer Science / Undergraduate CS – climbing in rankings; U.S. News places SCU in its national university rankings with notice of Computer Science among popular and growing programs.
  • Public Health & Finance-Accounting – According to Niche, SCU is ranked #24 in the U.S. for both Public Health and for Accounting & Finance.

Final Thoughts

Paying for Santa Clara University can feel daunting, but there are real ways families make it work. Automatic merit helps reduce the sticker price right away, flagship awards like Johnson Scholars provide transformative opportunities, and hidden gems (from first-gen support to ROTC) add up to meaningful savings. Pair that with SCU’s strong specialties in business, engineering, and teaching, and you get a Jesuit education rooted in Silicon Valley that still rewards planning and persistence.

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