Undergraduate Types of Aid

The Soka Opportunity Grant is SUA’s need-based grant program and is awarded to students who qualify based on their application for financial aid. The Soka Opportunity Grant is a form of need-based financial aid and does not need to be repaid. Students who submit an application for financial aid are automatically considered for the Soka Opportunity Grant and must submit an application for financial aid each academic year to be considered. 

The Soka Opportunity Grant may not exceed tuition each academic year and students are eligible for a maximum of 8 semesters of eligibility.

• Students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievements are awarded the Soka Merit Scholarship upon entrance to Soka University.
   
• Eligibility is determined based on your application for undergraduate admission. All admitted students are given equal and automatic consideration for this award.
   
• Renewable for up to eight semesters.

• The scholarship covers the entire “cost of attendance” which includes not only the direct costs to the university such as tuition, room, and board, but also indirect costs like travel, personal expenses, books, and supplies.
   
• Each year, one Makiguchi Scholarship  will be given to one international applicant who has graduated from high school in an African nation.
   
• The student selected demonstrates a high level of academic achievement and outstanding character.
   
• Eligibility is determined by the dean of enrollment services based on your admissions application. All admitted students are given equal and automatic consideration for this award. However, students must demonstrate a financial need to be considered.
   
• Renewable for up to eight semesters

• The scholarship covers the entire “cost of attendance,” which includes not only the direct costs to the university such as tuition, room, and board, but also indirect costs like travel, personal expenses, books, and supplies.
   
• The Ikeda Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship program at Soka University of America. It is awarded annually to one student going into the sophomore class, the junior class, and the senior class for a total of three scholarships per year.
   
• Eligibility is determined based on the academic accomplishment with experiences in leadership and service. The selection committee (dean of faculty and dean of students) makes final recommendations to the university president. This scholarship is announced in the summer preceding of each academic year.
   
• Awarded for the duration of one academic year

• This scholarship is named in honor of the late John D. Montgomery for his many years of service and dedication as a founding member of Soka University of America’s Board of Trustees. Montgomery was also the founding director of Soka’s Pacific Basin Research Center, a research institute dedicated to the study of social and economic development that reinforces the humanistic aims of the university and its mission of service to others.
• The recipient of this $20,000 scholarship is chosen on the basis of academic merit and their record of service that best exemplifies the humanitarian goals and objectives of the university.

• $5,000. Single year.
   
• Each year, the Scholarship Committee selects the top three academic students from SUA’s freshman, sophomore, and junior classes to receive the Soka Academic Merit Scholarship for the following academic year. Although the Soka Academic Merit Awards are given only for a single year, awardees can be selected again in subsequent years. In cases where recipients are already receiving financial aid, the student’s financial aid package will be adjusted accordingly.
   
• Selection is based on outstanding academic performance for that year and not on cumulative performance. A selection committee is formed each year making final recommendations to the university president, who announces the recipients of the Academic Merit scholarships in the fall of each academic year.

The Soka Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship (DEI Scholarship) is designed to expand access to education for students from minoritized groups and/or students who exemplify a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in their community. Applicants of all backgrounds are eligible for consideration. An application is required for continuing students to apply each year.

Gifted student-athletes participating in one of the sports below may be offered an athletic scholarship in conjunction with other institutional, state, or federal aid.

• Men’s and women’s soccer
• Men’s and women’s cross country
• Men’s and women’s swimming and diving
• Men’s and women’s track and field
• Women’s golf

Awards are offered and renewed at the discretion of the director of athletics and the directors of each sport. Students wishing to inquire about an athletic scholarship should contact the director of the sport they are interested in.

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 loans are guaranteed by the US government without the consideration of a credit check. These loans are more commonly referred to as Stafford Loans and are available, depending on eligibility, as Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. Stafford Loans have both annual and yearly limits.

Subsidized Loans - are awarded based on financial need.  Interest accrued while the student is in school is paid by the federal government and is therefore an interest free loan until the student graduates, drops below halftime enrollment, or is not enrolled in school. After a grace period of six months from the time of graduation or last day of attendance, interest begins to accrue.  

Unsubsidized Loans - are 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. Parents may borrow PLUS loans up to the Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid awarded. There is no interest subsidy for this loan. Repayment begins within 60 days of the loan 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 Financial Aid Office. 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 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

Federal Pell Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. Funds are provided by the federal government and are awarded to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need. Students must complete a FAFSA to apply.

Duration of Eligibility (Lifetime eligibility used)

The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you may receive over your lifetime is limited to the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. For more information, visit US Department of Education.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. They are funded by the federal government and are awarded by Soka to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.

These programs are funded by the state of California and are administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). To be eligible a student must be a financial aid applicant, be a California resident and a US citizen, eligible non-citizen, or Dreamer.

The application deadline is March 2 of each year. Maximum awards for a student enrolled at Soka are set by the state government and are subject to change at any time. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive the full grant and enrolled at least half-time to receive a prorated amount.  

For more information please visit the California Student Aid Commission website.

SUA applies your Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B Tuition/Fee awards directly to your university charges on your student billing account.

If you are receiving the Cal Grant B Access Grant, it will automatically apply to your student account balance. You have the option to have your award refunded to you and not applied to your account balance by submitting the Cal Grant B Payment Authorization form to the Office of Financial Aid. This form can be found on the University Portal. For questions on this process, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) provides part-time employment to domestic students who need earnings to help meet their educational expenses while in school.

The program allows students to gain work experience and pay for a part of their educational expenses as they earn their award.

Funds for this program come from the federal government as well as Soka University of America and are awarded based on need.

Rather than receiving a check at the beginning of each semester, students receive their work-study award as earnings from their job in the form of a paycheck.

The work experience gained through this program can prove to be a valuable asset when seeking employment after graduation.

HOW TO APPLY

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) each year by the March 2 deadline and submit all requested documents by the deadline specified.
• Answer “Yes” if interested in Work-Study on the FAFSA.

HOW AWARDS ARE DETERMINED

• Based on financial eligibility.
• Due to limited available funding, these awards are generally directed to students with relatively low Expected Family Contributions (EFC).
• When awarding continuing students, preference is given to those students who have utilized their work-study award in the prior year.

Important Information About Work-Study Awards

• The work-study program is based on financial aid eligibility; the amount will be listed on the “Financial Aid Award” page on the Learn Account.
• Students must work to receive these funds.
• This award allows students to gain work experience and pay for some of their educational expenses with a semi-monthly paycheck.
• As a work-study recipient, students have the choice of obtaining a work-study job either on-campus or off-campus at a nonprofit agency.
• The FWS award is the maximum amount student can earn, regardless of the number of positions they hold. FWS students may hold one on-campus job and one off-campus community service job or internship.
• If students do not wish to utilize their work-study award, they may request to have it converted into a loan. Depending on their remaining eligibility, a student may be offered additional Federal Direct Stafford and/or Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan.
• If students decline their work-study award, the Office of Financial Aid may terminate it and offer the funds to another eligible student.
• If you are on study abroad for one semester, you may work during the semester you are on campus. Work-study funds cannot be paid while you are abroad.

How to Utilize Federal Work-Study

• Print a copy of the “Financial Aid Award” page—this is the official notification of the student’s FWS award amount; the hiring department and/or Human Resources Office may want to view this.
• Apply for a job. Jobs listings are available via the Portal provided by the Office of Career Services.
• Once a student applies for a job, the hiring department will contact the student to schedule an interview.
• Once hired, the student must complete the necessary paperwork with Human Resources.
• Students are to work the hours as scheduled with their employer but may not exceed 20 hours per week.
• Students will receive a paycheck semi-monthly for the hours they worked.

Tips for Finding a Position

• Contact the Manager of Community Services/Internship for Community Service opportunities to be paid via FWS.
• Job listings are available through the Portal under Human Resources/Student Employment.

Terms of Your Employment

• You may begin your work-study employment on the first day of the semester.
• Students can work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and can work up to 40 hours per week (the maximum) during vacation periods.
• Hourly rates comply with minimum wage laws and vary depending on the type of work, experience, and capabilities.
• Work-study awards may not be extended from one academic year to the next.
• Work-study is paid generally (after employment commences) semi-monthly by direct deposit.
• Students may not begin working until the hiring department and the student has completed all of the appropriate documents.
• If you are working off-campus, you must submit a timesheet to be paid.
• If you are terminated from your position for disciplinary reasons, the Office of Financial Aid may withdraw your federal work-study award.