Graduate Types of Aid

• In an effort to promote access to higher education, Soka University of America offers a Graduate Merit Scholarship to all students who are admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Societal Change program.
• Eligibility and award amounts are determined based on the application and checklist materials for graduate admission.
• All admitted graduate students are given equal and automatic consideration for this award.
• The Graduate Merit Scholarship amounts vary and the award is not to exceed the cost of tuition.
• The award is renewable for up to four semesters. Renewal is conditional upon maintaining satisfactory academic progress and meeting the standards outlined by the program.

Eligibility:

• Eligibility for the Soka Graduate Grant is determined by your demonstrated financial need.
• Soka Graduate Grant amounts vary.
• The combination of the Soka Graduate Grant and the Soka Graduate Merit Scholarship not to exceed the cost of tuition.
• Renewal is not guaranteed and is contingent upon available funding, which is reviewed annually.
• Students must reapply each year to be considered.

How to Apply:

• Domestic students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• International students are required to complete Soka’s International Graduate Financial Aid Application.
• Dreamer Students are required to complete a Soka Dream Graduate Financial Aid Application.

The following external resources are databases which provide thousands of scholarship opportunities:

• Fastweb
• The College Board
• Salliemae
• Scholarships.com
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Elevation Scholars

Soka University of America participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program, in which borrowers obtain loan funds directly from the US Department of Education. These loans are available through the US government and are only available to eligible US citizens or eligible permanent residents. The unsubsidized loan is guaranteed by the US government without the consideration of a credit check. These loans are commonly referred to as Stafford Loans. Stafford Loans have both annual and yearly limits.

Unsubsidized Loan—available to students regardless of income and assets, and has no interest subsidy. Interest will accrue from the time of disbursement.

For the most current information on eligibility, interest rates, repayment options, etc. please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

Soka University of America participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program, in which borrowers obtain loan funds directly from the US Department of Education. These loans are available through the US government and are only available to eligible US citizens or eligible permanent residents. The loans are guaranteed by the US government and require the consideration of a credit check.

These loans are government-insured loans that are made through a lender to the parents of dependent students. Graduate students may borrow PLUS loans up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid awarded. There is no interest subsidy for this loan and interest will begin at the time of disbursement. The standard repayment period for this loan is 10 years.

For the most current information on eligibility, interest rates, repayment options, etc., please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

International and Dreamer students interested in applying for a Soka loan will be required to annually submit financial documents for review by the Office of Financial Aid. Soka loans, if granted, will not exceed the cost of attendance minus other aid for a single academic year. Student eligibility is determined by the International Student Financial Aid Application.

Loan information: 

• Lender: Soka University of America
• Loan servicer: Heartland Campus Solutions - Educational Computer Systems, Incorporated (ECSI)
• Interest rate is set each July by the Office of Financial Aid
  • The interest rate varies by year
  • Interest does not accrue while in school or during the grace period
• No loan fee.
• Dependent students may borrow up to $20,000 or up to cost of attendance minus other financial aid (whichever is less) per year
• Independent students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid (whichever is less) per year
• Must complete Entrance Counseling, Master Promissory Note, and Self-Certification Form
• Three loan disclosures are sent to the student prior to disbursement

Repayment Information: 

• Six-month grace period
• The grace period begins after you graduate, withdraw, or enroll below half-time (6 units)
• Repayment begins on the day after your grace period ends
• 10 Year Standard Repayment Plan
  • The minimum payment is $50 per month
  • The monthly payment amount is based on the total loan borrowed
  • The maximum repayment period is 10 years
• Not required to make loan payments while you are in school and in your grace period
• Can prepay some or all of your loans without any penalty
• Late charges will be applied to late payments