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A university education doesn’t have to be a burden.
Finances are challenging, even outside of a college setting. We know that paying for higher education sometimes seems like an impossible task—but we are here to help you navigate the intricacies of financial aid, grants, loans, and scholarships. To find out more about the many exciting options available to make your degree more affordable, talk to one of our enrollment counselors, get connected with a financial counselor, or continue reading.
FAFSA and government grants
The first step in making your education affordable
There are many aspects to financial aid, including government loans and private scholarships. But the first, and arguably most important, step is to fill out your FAFSA and CalGrant applications. As an eligible, full-time undergraduate student, you could receive up to $15,500 in combined grant funds to use toward your degree. Not everyone will be eligible for a grant, but the FAFSA is still a vital part of the financial aid process as it can also help provide loans and other funding opportunities.
When applying for the CalGrant, be aware that the state considers both your financial and academic components when evaluating your eligibility—you will probably need to ask your high school or previous college to supply GPA information in order for your to be considered for this grant. The deadline for this application is March 2 of every year.
Scholarships
your hard work can pay off
Regardless of your grant eligibility, scholarships can help you pay for college in a variety of ways. Your financial counselor can help you find the right scholarships for you, whether they are merit-based, needs-based, or reserved for specific student groups. You can even qualify for financial awards from La Sierra University. Based on academic performance, students become eligible for awards of up to $7,880 per year. In addition, La Sierra’s two most promising students can receive up to $15,000!
You can find scholarships in surprising places—in addition to what your advisors recommend, you can search online, have your parents ask their employers if their workplace offers scholarships, or even inquire with local organizations like the Rotary Club. If you are a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we recommend looking into matching scholarships from the church you attend.
La Sierra Scholarships & Financial Aid
Program/Name | Program Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Renewable Merit Award | A renewable award for undergraduate students who first enroll at La Sierra as first-time freshmen. Amounts are adjusted annually based on GPA information. Students eligible for the National Merit Award or the La Sierra Achievement Award will get the higher of the two. Not available for off-campus or reduced-tuition programs. First-time freshmen or international students without GPA information (i.e. GED, CHSPE) will be awarded at the 2.75 GPA level. | Cum. GPA Scholarship 3.75-4.00: $10,700 3.50-3.74: $8,600 3.25-3.49: $7,500 2.75-3.24: $6,400 2.00-2.74: $3,300 |
| Presidential Scholar | One high-achieving incoming freshman will receive this renewable award annually. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and outstanding citizenship demonstrated through missions, voluntarism, and leadership are required. | $15,000 |
| La Sierra Academic Achievement Award | One-year award for first-year students who demonstrate superior scholastic ability through a nationally established testing process, but do not qualify for a National Merit Award. Students who score at or above 1270 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT will qualify for this award in their first year. Students will get the higher of the National Merit, La Sierra Freshmen Merit Award, or La Sierra Academic Achievement Award Scholarship, not both. | $10,700 |
| National Merit Award | Awarded to students named as a finalist, semi-finalist, or commended national merit scholar. Renewable up to 4 years based on satisfactory academic progress. Students who drop below 12 units for more than one quarter will be withdrawn from the program. Students will get the higher of the National Merit, La Sierra Freshmen Merit Award, or La Sierra Academic Achievement Award Scholarship, not more than one. |
|
| Music Performance Scholarship | Students are selected by the Music Department to audition for this scholarship. | $500 to $3,600 |
| Sports Scholarship | Athletics Department recommends students for scholarships, who must participate on their designated sports team. | Varies |
| Student Missionary/ Task Force Scholarship | One-time award given to students who have given 9 to 12 months of mission service prior to their enrollment or re-enrollment at the university. An adjusted amount is awarded for shorter terms of service. | Up to $2,000 |
This loan will be converted to a scholarship upon a student’s graduation from La Sierra with their first bachelor's degree. Only available to students who begin at La Sierra as first-time freshmen and whose primary degree program is declared as a bachelor's degree offered by La Sierra University. The scholarship is also available for the Criminal Justice program. Not available for other off-campus, Digital Learning, and reduced tuition programs such as EADP and ESL/ELC. See the promissory note for repayment requirements and other terms and conditions.
Sophomore
| GPA | SAI 0-12,000 | SAI 12,001 and above |
|---|---|---|
| 2.75 – 3.24 | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| 3.25 - 4.00 | $4,000 | $2,000 |
Junior / Senior
| GPA | SAI 0-12,000 | SAI 12,001 and above |
|---|---|---|
| 2.75 – 3.24 | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| 3.25 - 4.00 | $4,000 | $2,000 |
Program/Name | Program Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Pell Grant | Awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. | Up to $7,395 per year |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | Granted to undergraduate, degree-seeking students with exceptional financial need. | Up to $1,500 |
| California State Grants | Cal Grant A and B are available to California residents who meet the GPA, financial need, and deadline requirements. Cal Grant range is subject to change by action of the California State Legislature. | Range: up to $9,358 per year |
| Federal Direct Loan Program | Provides loans to student and parent borrowers directly through the U.S. Department of Education rather than through a bank or other lender. | Varies |
| Federal Work Study | Part-time employment offering eligible students the opportunity for work to be arranged around class schedules. Must be enrolled full-time to be eligible for this program. | Varies |
Program/Name | Program Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| La Sierra Need Grant | A need-based award for returning undergraduate students. Must have an official Student Aid Index (SAI) per the FAFSA to qualify. Not available for off-campus or reduced-tuition programs. | $1,000 if SAI is between $0 and $12,000 |
| Seventh-day Adventist Membership Award | Members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or non-Adventist students who graduate from an Adventist academy receive a tuition discount. This award does not apply to reduced-tuition programs. | $2,250 annually/ Up to a $9,000 4-year total |
| Family Discount | Discount available when two or more members of a student’s immediate family (from the same household), living at home or in the residence halls, are enrolled in a paying, non-tuition-discounted program. Coordinated with each student’s financial aid package and prorated for less than full-time enrollment. | $300 discount per quarter for each paying family member enrolled full-time |
| Commitment Scholarship | Available to students who meet the financial clearance deadlines. These scholarships are calculated on charges minus all aid (including loans). Students in already discounted (i.e. summer undergrad, Divinity School graduate programs, ESL/ELC, EADP, Music Certificate, cohorts) or off-campus programs are not eligible for these scholarships. The scholarships are prorated over all three terms in the regular school year (fall, winter, and spring). The scholarship is available to Criminal Justice (CJ) students who meet the CJ financial clearance deadlines. | 5% scholarship for students who pay for the year in advance. 2% scholarship for students who pay for the quarter in advance. |
| Church Matching Scholarship | Renewable scholarship matching contribution from a student’s congregation or conference. Available to students who have unmet need after all other student aid has been awarded and may help reduce loans. Contribution check must be accompanied by signed contract stating funds were processed in accordance with IRS regulations. Educational Allowance recipients are not eligible. Matching funds not available for reduced-tuition or off-campus programs. | Up to $1,000 |
| Adventist Summer Camp Earnings Match | The university will match students’ certified Adventist Camp earnings for summer prior to Fall enrollment; applied to Fall term accounts. Matching funds not available for reduced-tuition or off-campus programs. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by the V.P. or Associate V.P. of Enrollment Services. |
|
| Literature Evangelist Earnings Match | The university will match students’ certified Adventist literature evangelist earnings for summer prior to their Fall enrollment; applied to Fall term accounts. Literature evangelist earnings made during the school year are entitled to be matched as well. Matching funds not available for reduced-tuition or off-campus programs. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by the V.P. or Associate V.P. of Enrollment Services. | 100% up to $3,000 for the summer. 100% up to an additional $3,000 during school year. |
| La Sierra/NAD 100% Free Tuition Partnership | Covers any gap between student tuition and general fee and the award received from NAD tuition subsidy, Cal Grant, and institutional aid. Available to students in a degree program on the main campus who live in a residence hall and whose NAD tuition subsidy is paid directly from the conference or academy at the rate of 70% of La Sierra’s tuition and general fee amount. | Varies |
This loan will be converted to a scholarship upon a student’s graduation from La Sierra with their first bachelor degree. Only available to students who begin at La Sierra as transfer students and whose primary degree program is declared as a bachelor degree offered by La Sierra University. The scholarship is also available for the Criminal Justice program. Not available for other off-campus, Digital Learning, and reduced tuition programs such as EADP and ESL/ELC. See the promissory note for repayment requirements and other terms and conditions.
Junior / Senior
| GPA | SAI 0-12,000 | SAI 12,001 and above |
|---|---|---|
| 2.00 – 2.74 | $1,500 | $0 |
| 2.75 – 3.24 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
| 3.25 – 3.49 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
| 3.50 – 3.74 | $2,500 | $2,000 |
| 3.75 - 4.00 | $1,500 | $1,000 |
Program/Name | Program Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Pell Grant | Awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. | Up to $7,395 per year |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | Granted to undergraduate, degree-seeking students with exceptional financial need. | Up to $1,500 |
| California State Grants | Cal Grant A and B are available to California residents who meet the GPA, financial need, and deadline requirements. Cal Grant range is subject to change by action of the California State Legislature. | Range: up to $9,358 per year |
| Federal Direct Loan Program | Provides loans to student and parent borrowers directly through the U.S. Department of Education rather than through a bank or other lender. | Varies |
| Federal Work Study | Part-time employment offering eligible students the opportunity for work to be arranged around class schedules. Must be enrolled full-time to be eligible for this program. | Varies |
Program/Name | Program Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| La Sierra Need Grant | A need-based award for returning undergraduate students. Must have an official Student Aid Index (SAI) per the FAFSA to qualify. Not available for off-campus or reduced-tuition programs. | $1,000 if SAI is between $0 and $12,000 |
| Seventh-day Adventist Membership Award | Members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or non-Adventist students who graduate from an Adventist academy receive a tuition discount. This award does not apply to reduced-tuition programs. | $2,250 annually/ Up to a $9,000 4-year total |
| Family Discount | Discount available when two or more members of a student’s immediate family (from the same household), living at home or in the residence halls, are enrolled in a paying, non-tuition-discounted program. Coordinated with each student’s financial aid package and prorated for less than full-time enrollment. | $300 discount per quarter for each paying family member enrolled full-time |
| Commitment Scholarship | Available to students who meet the financial clearance deadlines. These scholarships are calculated on charges minus all aid (including loans). Students in already discounted (i.e. summer undergrad, Divinity School graduate programs, ESL/ELC, EADP, Music Certificate, cohorts) or off-campus programs are not eligible for these scholarships. The scholarships are prorated over all three terms in the regular school year (fall, winter, and spring). The scholarship is available to Criminal Justice (CJ) students who meet the CJ financial clearance deadlines. | 5% scholarship for students who pay for the year in advance. 2% scholarship for students who pay for the quarter in advance. |
| Church Matching Scholarship | Renewable scholarship matching contribution from a student’s congregation or conference. Available to students who have unmet need after all other student aid has been awarded and may help reduce loans. Contribution check must be accompanied by signed contract stating funds were processed in accordance with IRS regulations. Educational Allowance recipients are not eligible. Matching funds not available for reduced-tuition or off-campus programs. | Up to $1,000 |
| Adventist Summer Camp Earnings Match | The university will match students’ certified Adventist Camp earnings for summer prior to Fall enrollment; applied to Fall term accounts. Matching funds not available for reduced-tuition or off-campus programs. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by the V.P. or Associate V.P. of Enrollment Services. |
|
| Literature Evangelist Earnings Match | The university will match students’ certified Adventist literature evangelist earnings for summer prior to their Fall enrollment; applied to Fall term accounts. Literature evangelist earnings made during the school year are entitled to be matched as well. Matching funds not available for reduced-tuition or off-campus programs. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by the V.P. or Associate V.P. of Enrollment Services. | 100% up to $3,000 for the summer. 100% up to an additional $3,000 during school year. |
| La Sierra/NAD 100% Free Tuition Partnership | Covers any gap between student tuition and general fee and the award received from NAD tuition subsidy, Cal Grant, and institutional aid. Available to students in a degree program on the main campus who live in a residence hall and whose NAD tuition subsidy is paid directly from the conference or academy at the rate of 70% of La Sierra’s tuition and general fee amount. | Varies |
Program/Name | Program Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| La Sierra New Transfer Merit Award | A renewable award for undergraduate students who first enroll at La Sierra as transfer students. Amounts are adjusted annually based on GPA information. Students eligible for the National Merit Award or the La Sierra Achievement Award will get the higher of the two. Not available for off-campus or reduced-tuition programs. | Cum. GPA Scholarship |
| National Merit Award | Awarded to students named as a finalist, semi-finalist, or commended national merit scholar. Renewable up to 4 years based on satisfactory academic progress. Students who drop below 12 units for more than one quarter will be withdrawn from the program. Students will get the higher of the National Merit or La Sierra Renewable Scholarship, not both. |
|
| Music Performance Scholarship | Students are selected by the Music Department to audition for this scholarship. | $500 to $3,600 |
| Sports Scholarship | Athletics Department recommends students for scholarships, who must participate on their designated sports team. | Varies |
| Student Missionary/ Task Force Scholarship | One-time award given to students who have given 9 to 12 months of mission service prior to their enrollment or re-enrollment at the university. An adjusted amount is awarded for shorter terms of service. | Up to $2,000 |
Loans
enabling even more
Sometimes the grants and scholarships available are simply not enough to cover the costs of higher education. When that happens, our financial counselors are here to help you to make sure that you make financially responsible decisions, applying for the loans with the best conditions for your specific case. Student loans give you the freedom to study what you want, but often come with great responsibility and high interest rates. We will do everything possible to educate you on all your options before you make any decisions.
Tuition
the cost of a good education
La Sierra has recently been named one of the Best Value Universities in the Western Region by US News. That’s right; at La Sierra University, you get your money's worth. This is also why we understand that the continually rising cost of a good education is worrisome for many of our students and their parents. Our excellent financial counselors do their best to alleviate those worries, finding you the most in terms of financial aid, grants, and scholarships.
Meet with an enrollment counselor
Let one of our enrollment counselors do a financial estimate for you to show you how affordable La Sierra really is.