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.
About SOKA University of America
Soka University of America is a private, nonprofit, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school located on 103 acres in Aliso Viejo, in south Orange County, California. Three miles from the coast, SUA is in the heart of Southern California’s abundance of cultural, educational, sporting, and adventure opportunities.
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SOKA University of America Grants and Scholarships for International Students
Aim and Benefits of SOKA University of America Grants and Scholarships for International Students
Soka Opportunity Grant
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.
The Soka Opportunity Grant may not exceed tuition each academic year and students are eligible for a maximum of 8 semesters of eligibility.
Soka's Merit Scholarship
- Students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievements are awarded the Soka Merit Scholarship upon entrance to Soka University.
- Renewable for up to eight semesters.
Soka's Makiguchi Scholarship for Global Citizens
- 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.
- Renewable for up to eight semesters
Soka's Ikeda Scholarship
- 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.
- Awarded for the duration of one academic year
Soka's John D. Montgomery Scholarship
- 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.
Soka's Academic Merit Scholarship
Requirements for SOKA University of America Grants and Scholarships for International Students Qualification
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.
Soka Opportunity Grant
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.
Soka's Merit Scholarship
- 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.
Soka's Makiguchi Scholarship for Global Citizens
- 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
Soka's Ikeda Scholarship
- 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.
Soka's John D. Montgomery Scholarship
- 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.
Soka's Academic Merit Scholarship
- 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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship
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.
Soka's Athletic Scholarships
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.
Outside Scholarships
The following external resources are databases which provide thousands of scholarship opportunities:
Application Deadline
Not Specified
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
SOKA University of America on admissions.soka.edu to apply
To apply for SOKA University of America Grants and Scholarships, Domestic students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), international students should complete Soka’s Financial Aid Application for International Students, and the Dream Financial Aid Application for Dreamer students.
For more details visit: SOKA University of America website.
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