We've awarded more than $399,358 to new students since July 1st, 2016.
Scholarships available for Palo Alto and Costa Mesa CA campuses.
For over 40 years, the experiences and education we have offered our students have transformed them and thereby countless clients and others with whom they live and work.
Sofia University is pleased to offer scholarships to support students in their first year (first 4 quarters) who can demonstrate financial need, will contribute meaningfully to the diversity of the transpersonal community, and possess a high potential to thrive. Scholarships can be combined with financial aid, depending on eligibility.
What scholarships do we offer?
Scholarships are available for Palo Alto and Costa Mesa CA campuses. We offer ten institutional scholarships to assist student in their first year at the university, below you will find a brief explanation as well as the link to the application. There is no limit to the number of new student scholarships, but please note that you can only receive one new student scholarship from Sofia University.
Scholarship Process & Timeline
Students will need access to their Sofia.edu email address to apply for Sofia Scholarships. Once students have access to their sofia.edu email address they can follow the ‘Apply Now” link for each scholarship you would like to apply for. Students need to provide the required information requested, including a personal statement. Once students have completed the application, they will receive a confirmation notice. Keep this notice, as it will provide the date by which you will be informed of your scholarship.
Applications are typically open for eight weeks and are announced just before the start of term. Open and close dates are found in the quick access menu to the right.
Scholarship Requirements:
Requirements vary for each scholarship and as such, we encourage you to take a look at each scholarship application form to find out more information and to determine your eligibility. The following are general requirements needed to be eligible for scholarships listed below.
- Student status be deposited and the student must have access to their sofia.edu email address
- Student must be in a matriculating degree program
- Students must meet the eligibility criteria set forth in the application
- Complete the application process
- Submit a personal statement
General Scholarship Policies and Guidelines
Institutional Scholarships
New Student Scholarships
In the scholarship office “New Students” are student in their first four terms associated with the University, in a matriculating program.
Sofia University believes in a world that is inclusive in approach and where equal opportunities and equitable outcomes exist for all. We are committed to developing and supporting a robustly diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, where all members create and feel a sense of belonging. In your personal statement to us define what community is to you and describe how you are engaging with yourself, others, and your larger communities.
Award Amount: $2000 for the first academic year
The spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to afford the rising costs of a college education. All enrolled students who are interested or are entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. If you currently own a business, tell us what business you are engaged in and how you hope to grow it. If you are a future entrepreneur, please tell us about a few barriers for you and how you hope to overcome them.
Award Amount: $2000 for the first academic year.
Recognizing diversity is an essential element of academic excellence, Sofia University is proud to offer Equity and Inclusion scholarships to students whose academic achievement and varied experiences will enhance and enrich the education of all Sofia University students and the educational mission of the University. This Scholarship supports our commitment to expanding access to professional development and ensuring that the learning opportunities we create are inclusive in serving all people, especially marginalized or under-resourced populations.
This scholarship is only offered in Fall and Winter.
Award Amount: $4000 for the first academic year.
The spirit of the International Student Scholarship is to make is easier for international students to afford the rising costs of a college education. All enrolled students who are interested and are an F-1 Visa student, you are encouraged to apply. Submit a personal Statement answering: Why, you would like to enroll in a STEM Degree? What do you hope to obtain from an education in the United States? What are your professional goals and ambitions in the field?
Award Amount: $2500 for the first academic year.
Exemplary students are selected to receive the Sofia University Merit Scholarships based on outstanding academic achievement. Merit awards are determined by the scholarship committee based on the application for admission without consideration of financial need. Submit a personal statement about why you are applying and what you hope to accomplish.
This scholarship is only offered in Fall and Winter.
Award amount: $5000 for the first academic year.
We believe that every student who enrolls at Sofia University has the ability to be a ripple in the wave of humanity’s evolution. This scholarship asks you to consider your own personal contribution to this amazing effort. Whether you see yourself as a ripple within your own personal home community, within a larger organization, or as an international change maker, we would like to know how you envision your education at Sofia University will help you move humanity forward.
Award amount: $2000 for the first academic year.
Current Student Scholarships
“Current Students” are any student, in a matriculating program, who are enrolled full-time in their degree program of study.
The Finish Line Scholarship is designed to support students who are either in their last quarter or penultimate quarter of their degree program. This scholarship aims to alleviate the financial burden for students with strong academic performance and help them complete their degree program at Sofia University.
Award Amount: Varies based on Tier – $500-$1,000.
Sofia University is proud to support our country’s heroes who have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedom. We recognize the importance of education and the role it plays in personal, professional, and economic fulfillment. Sofia University is dedicated to helping our veterans and believes that you deserve the support needed to attain your educational goals.
Award Amount: $2000 for the first academic year.
In today’s world of challenging global and local issues we need innovative leadership models of engagement. Sofia University’s unique DBA program includes a commitment to partner with students in supporting courageous innovation. In your personal statement to us, briefly identify your interest in accelerating your leadership to address global and local business challenges.
Award Amounts – Year 1: 30% tuition reduction, Year 2&3: 10% reduction in tuition.
External Student Scholarships
Scholarships in this section have been vetted by the scholarship committee and are funded outside of the University but are facilitated through the Sofia Scholarship Office.
The Diekemper endowment for the Sofia University Scholarship was established by alumna Lou Dunn Diekemper to provide financial support to a student at Sofia University’s Transpersonal online program, who are age 40 or older.
This Scholarship is only offered in the Spring.
Award Amount varies each year.
Scholarship Office Frequently Asked Questions
New Student Scholarships are for students in their first four terms with the University.
Current Student Scholarships are open to all students regardless of which term they are in.
EX: Students in their first term can apply, and students in their eighth term can apply, if they meet the scholarships eligibility criteria.
Application open and close dates are posted on the Scholarship website.
When you follow the “Apply Now” link you will see the eligibility criteria at the top of the scholarship application.
Students will be notified of the scholarship results on Friday prior to the start of the term.
Yes, however please note that submitting the same personal statement is not recommended. Also, for “New Student Scholarships” please be aware of the first four-terms requirement.
No, Students can only have one Sofia issued scholarship active at a time.
Students can have a one-time referral discount, and a Sofia offered scholarship at the same time, but cannot have the Family/Friend rate or Alumni rate and a Sofia offered scholarship.
No, taking a leave of absence or an Annual Break/Break term violates the scholarship requirements of continuous full-time enrollment.
No, a student status of Withdrawal or “W”, violates the scholarship requirements for continuous full-time enrollment.
Yes, this counts as being awarded a “New Student Scholarship”. Therefore, you are ineligible to re-apply for a “New Student Scholarship”.
No, these courses are 0-unit courses; this violates the scholarship requirements of continuous full-time enrollment.
Student scholarships can be rescinded in any of the following circumstances:
Students are placed on academic and/or disciplinary probation.
No longer meets the scholarships eligibility for continuous enrollment.
Does not meet the full-time enrollment requirement based on your designated program of study, for the quarter in which the award is to be in effect.
Student has an active scholarship and applies and is approved to receive the Family/Alumni Tuition rate.
Student Withdraws from the University.
Yes, if there was a GPA requirement when you applied, the same GPA must be maintained.
If a scholarship requires enrollment in a specific program, and you switch programs, you will not be able to retain your scholarship.
EX: Leadership Accelerated Scholarship – requires students who apply to be enrolled in the DBA program.
No. New Student scholarships do not extend past the current academic year in which they are awarded. Current Student scholarships are applied to the current degree program.
Guidance and Advice:
As with all scholarships, the best guidance and advice we can provide to students is to thoroughly review the scholarship applications and assess eligibility. Once you identify you are eligible, we highly encourage you to apply.
If you find that you are not eligible for the Sofia offered scholarships, we recommend checking fastweb.com to identify other resources that may be available beyond those offered through Sofia University.
Scholarship Due Dates:
Summer – No Scholarships Offered
Fall 2025
- Open: July 1st, 2025
- Close: September 1st, 2025
Winter 2026
- Open: October 17th, 2025
- Close: December 29th, 2025
Spring 2026:
- Open: January 12th, 2026
- Close: March 23rd, 2026
