Institutional grants and scholarships are awards that are funded by the university to help students meet the challenge of funding their education at Soka University of America. All grants and scholarships listed on this page are awards that are gifted to the student and do not need to be paid back to SUA. These awards may be merit-based or need-based. They carry with them specific criteria and terms and conditions for renewal.
Soka University is very fortunate to have had the opportunity this year to provide all of our first-year class with at least one institutional grant or scholarship. One hundred percent of our continuing students who were eligible for need-based financial assistance received a need-based scholarship or grant. Students may combine more than one institutional scholarship to cover costs up to the cost of attendance. Soka University scholarships are available to all domestic, international, and dreamers who qualify. Eligibility requirements for outside scholarships vary, please check with each outside scholarship for criteria.
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 is applied toward tuition and mandatory fees. The grant is part of SUA’s need-based “equity group,” which includes federal and state grant programs such as the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Cal Grant. These programs are coordinated together, and the combined total of these grants may not exceed the cost of tuition for the academic year. As a result, the amount of the Soka Opportunity Grant may be adjusted when necessary to ensure that the total of these tuition-supporting grants does not exceed tuition.
Private scholarships from external organizations are treated separately and will not reduce a student’s institutional grant eligibility unless required to comply with overall cost of attendance limits.
Students are eligible to receive the Soka Opportunity Grant for a maximum of eight semesters.
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.
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:
“How to fund education” is often the first major financial decision a student will make. With or without the help of family and friends, deciding whether or not to borrow student loans and in what amounts, can be a difficult and stressful process.
Student loans are funds that must be repaid over a period of time. They are offered to cover educational costs that are not covered by scholarships or grants. Student loans are funds that are applied to direct and indirect educational costs. The lender may be the U.S. government, Soka University of America, or a private lending institution such as a bank. You may choose whether or not to borrow or decline your loans.
The Office of Financial Aid at Soka offers full counseling to students who have completed a financial aid application or a FAFSA. We encourage students to review their financial aid package as a whole and determine how much they can afford to pay out of pocket, how much can be paid with a payment plan and lastly, how much they will be able to afford to pay back in the future if they decides to borrow funds now. We are here to help students make sound financial decisions even before they decides to attend Soka.
In accordance with California law, our institution does not recommend, endorse, or promote any specific private education loan lenders. Students and families are free to select any lender of their choice, and choosing a particular lender will not affect eligibility for institutional or federal financial aid. Private education loans are subject to credit approval and may not include the same borrower protections as federal student loans. Borrowers are encouraged to review their rights and responsibilities under the California Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights and to carefully compare loan terms before borrowing.
Soka University of America participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program, in which borrowers obtain loan funds directly from the U.S. Department of Education. These loans are available through the U.S. government and are only available to eligible U.S. citizens or eligible permanent residents. The loans are guaranteed by the U.S. 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.
Federal Student Loan Benefits
Because of these borrower protections, federal student loans are typically recommended before other loan types.
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 U.S. Department of Education. These loans are available through the U.S. government and are only available to eligible U.S. 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 the lender to the parents of dependent students.
Parents who have had a PLUS loan disbursement prior to July 1, 2026 may borrow PLUS loans up to the Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid awarded.
Federal Parent PLUS Loan (Updated Borrowing Limits Effective July 1, 2026)
The Federal Parent PLUS Loan allows parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow to help cover educational expenses not met through other financial aid.
New Borrowing Limits
Federal regulations now include:
These limits apply to total Parent PLUS borrowing across all institutions.
Parent PLUS Loan Features
Planning Consideration
Families are encouraged to consider total borrowing across all years of enrollment. Reaching lifetime borrowing limits before graduation may require families to explore alternative financing options.
There is no interest subsidy for this loan. Repayment begins within 60 days of the final 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.
Soka University of America has developed an institutional parent loan option to support families who reach federal Parent PLUS borrowing limits or who need additional financing to meet educational expenses.
General Features (Subject to Final Approval)
Designed to help bridge funding gaps after federal loan options are exhausted
To qualify, families must exhaust all available federal loan options prior to accepting the Soka Parent Loan
Fixed interest rate financing (set July 1st each year)
May require credit approval
Loan approval and terms may vary
Institutional loans typically do not offer the same federal borrower protections or repayment flexibility available through federal loan programs. Families should carefully review loan terms before borrowing.
Loan information:
Repayment Information:
Private educational loans are offered through private lenders and may be used to help cover educational expenses after federal and institutional loan options are considered.
Key Features
Credit-based approval
Interest rates may be fixed or variable
Repayment terms vary by lender
Student borrowers typically require a creditworthy co-signer
Private loans generally do not provide the same borrower protections or repayment flexibility as federal student loans.
Soka University does not recommend or endorse specific lenders. Families are encouraged to compare lenders carefully before borrowing.
Loan Certification Process
Most educational loans require certification by the university.
Certification confirms:
Student enrollment status
Cost of Attendance
Total financial aid received
Maximum loan eligibility
Loan certification helps ensure students do not borrow beyond their educational costs as defined by federal and institutional guidelines.
California Student Loan Borrower Disclosure Requirements
Students and families borrowing private education loans may be required to complete a borrower disclosure and self-certification process required under California law and federal Truth in Lending regulations.
These disclosures are designed to:
Ensure borrowers understand loan terms
Provide estimated repayment information
Confirm borrower awareness of federal loan options
Borrowers must complete all required disclosures before loan funds can be disbursed.
| Feature | Federal Student Loans | Federal Parent | Soka Parent Loan | Private (Alternative) Loans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borrower | Student | Parent | Parent | Student and/or parent |
| Annual Limit | Federal limits based on grade level | $20,000 per student | Up to the annual cost of attendance | Determined by lender but not to exceed the cost of attendance |
| Lifetime Limit | Federal aggregate limits | $65,000 per student | No lifetime limit | Determined by lender |
| Interest Rate | Fixed | Fixed | Variable or fixed | Variable or fixed |
| Loan Fee | Fixed | Fixed | No Loan Fee | Determined by lender |
| Credit Check | No (except for PLUS-like alternatives) | Yes | Must have an approved Federal PLUS Loan Credit Check Approved | Yes |
| Federal Repayment Plans | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Deferment / Forbearance | Yes | Limited | Limited | Determined by lender |
| Forgiveness Programs | Yes | Very limited | Very limited | No |
| Consumer Protections | Strong federal protections | Federal protections | Varies by lender and state law | Varies by lender and state law |
| School Certification Required | Yes | Yes | Yes - Must have accepted all available Federal student and Parent Loans to be approved | Yes |
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:
Repayment Information:
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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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
HOW AWARDS ARE DETERMINED
Important Information About Work-Study Awards
How to Utilize Federal Work-Study
Tips for Finding a Position
Terms of Your Employment
Soka named scholarships are available for current Soka students and require an application.
Brian overcame great challenges in his life in order to make the impossible possible.
Evelyn was, throughout her life, an active role model for countless women academics in science, a champion of women’s rights, and a promoter of education in the arts.
Two of Bob Hodes’ admirable qualities, in his grandson’s view, were an earnest devotion to both scientific research and the arts, as well as his courageous contributions to the causes of world peace and social justice.
The Carole Ann Lee Aloha Scholarship is designed to provide funding to undergraduate students who aspire to be a force for positive change. Applicants of all backgrounds are eligible for consideration. Additional positive consideration will be given to students who identify with the Hawaiian Islands or Hawaiian culture.
The Gregg Jorgensen Memorial Scholarship is designed to provide funding to undergraduate students who can articulate how they will apply the philosophies of John Dewey and Daisaku Ikeda in their life’s work, like Greg did.
Office of Financial Aid
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 480-4342 | financialaid@soka.edu
We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our offices are located on the second floor of Founders Hall. To schedule an appointment, please email financialaid@soka.edu.