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Scholarships Financial Assistance

Keeping quality Christian education affordable is important to us, and at La Sierra University we are committed to helping students achieve their educational goals with help from the various financial aid programs we offer.

Browse all of the different possibilities to find the right scholarships for you!

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: $10,200
3.50-3.74: $8,200
3.25-3.49: $7,100
2.75-3.24: $6,100
2.00-2.74: $3,100
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. $10,200
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 Students who drop below 12 units for more than one quarter will be withdrawn from the program.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.
  • Finalist: 100% of tuition and standard fees
  • Semi-Finalist: 50% of tuition and standard fees
  • Commended: 33% of tuition. 
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 EFC 0-12,000 EFC 12,001 and above
2.75 – 3.24 $1,000 $1,000
3.25 - 4.00 $2,000 $1,000

Junior / Senior

GPA EFC 0-12,000 EFC 12,001 and above
2.75 – 3.24 $1,500 $1,500
3.25 - 4.00 $5,000 $3,000
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 $6,895 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 $9,220 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 Estimated Family Contri-bution (EFC) per the FAFSA to qualify. Not available for off-campus or reduced-tuition programs. $1,000 if EFC 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.
  • Pacific Union:
    100% up to $2,000
  • Non-Pacific Union:
    50% up to $1,500
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 EFC 0-12,000 EFC 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 $6,895 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 $9,220 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 Estimated Family Contri-bution (EFC) per the FAFSA to qualify. Not available for off-campus or reduced-tuition programs. $1,000 if EFC 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.
  • Pacific Union:
    100% up to $2,000
  • Non-Pacific Union:
    50% up to $1,500
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
3.75-4.00: $7,100
3.50-3.75: $6,100
3.25-3.49: $5,100
2.75-3.24: $4,100
2.00-2.74: $3,100

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.

  • Finalist: 100% of tuition and standard fees
  • Semi-Finalist: 50% of tuition and standard fees
  • Commended: 33% of tuition. 
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
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