Dear Soka Community,

I’m writing today to share a significant expansion of the Soka Opportunity Plan, made possible in part by the strength of our donor community.

Beginning with the 2027–2028 academic year, the Soka Opportunity Plan will guarantee that every admitted undergraduate student from a family earning $200,000 or less will pay no tuition out of pocket. Families earning up to $250,000 will have half their tuition covered; families earning up to $300,000, a quarter. This applies both to new students and to continuing students who remain enrolled at Soka at that time.

We’re making this change because of what we believe is the purpose of a Soka education. From our founding, this university has existed to educate global citizens committed to contributing to society, making our world more tolerant, just, compassionate, and sustainable. Cost should never be the reason a capable student doesn’t pursue that kind of education, and the Soka Opportunity Plan puts that belief into practice.

Every admitted student will receive a merit scholarship, regardless of family income. The Office of Financial Aid then determines eligibility for need-based grants and other tuition-specific aid, combining these awards with the merit scholarship to ensure eligible students receive the tuition coverage outlined above, based on total family income. See the Financial Aid website for full Soka Opportunity Plan details and eligibility criteria.

I’m proud of what this represents for Soka, and I look forward to what our students will be able to achieve with this support.

Ed Feasel
President, Soka University of America

Note: A version of this message was delivered to the SUA community via email on September 1, 2026.