ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—Soka University of America (SUA) announced a major expansion of the Soka Opportunity Plan, its undergraduate financial aid guarantee. Beginning with the 2027–28 academic year, total family income of $200,000 or less annually will qualify for 100% tuition coverage, more than doubling the previous $90,000 threshold for full-tuition eligibility. Every admitted undergraduate will continue to receive a merit scholarship automatically, regardless of family income.
Guaranteed tuition coverage under the expanded plan:
• Family income of $200,000 or less: 100% tuition covered
• Family income of $200,001 to $250,000: 50% tuition covered
• Family income of $250,001 to $300,000: 25% tuition covered
“This initiative reflects our commitment to opportunity as much as affordability,” said Edward Feasel, the SUA president. “From our founding, Soka has existed to educate global citizens committed to contributing to society. Expanding the Soka Opportunity Plan will open the door to an SUA education for more students, giving them the opportunity to discover what they can contribute to the world.”
Students may also qualify for additional financial assistance to help cover housing, meals, books, transportation and other educational expenses through existing federal, state and institutional aid programs.
The Soka Opportunity Plan combines merit scholarships, need-based grants and institutional funding to reach each guaranteed coverage level. After a student submits the required financial aid application, the Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility for available federal, state and institutional grants. If that combined assistance does not meet the guaranteed coverage level, Soka provides a Middle Income Grant to close the tuition gap.
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Soka Opportunity Plan through the university’s financial aid process; no separate application is required, though students must submit all required financial aid materials by the March 2 priority deadline and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. The plan applies to incoming students and to continuing students who remain enrolled at Soka when the new tiers take effect. It is expected to benefit a meaningful share of SUA’s approximately 480 undergraduates, as well as future incoming classes.
Under the plan’s previous structure, families earning between $90,000 and $300,000 qualified for partial aid, covering at least 25% of tuition. The expanded plan replaces that range with fixed, published coverage levels at every income tier, making the level of guaranteed tuition coverage clear before students apply.
For further information, please visit SUA’s financial aid page at https://www.soka.edu/financial-aid
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