Aliso Viejo, California — USA
Soka University of America
Funds international students up to 100% of the total cost of attendance through BOTH need-based aid and merit scholarships — with a relatively accessible ~44% acceptance rate. No CSS Profile: you apply for aid using the completely free SISFAA. Permanently test-optional, but an English proficiency exam is required for non-native speakers.
Last updated July 2026. Always confirm details on the school's official page before applying.
Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California is a small liberal arts university that funds international students up to 100% of the total cost of attendance — and it does so two different ways. First, need-based aid: through the Soka Opportunity Plan, families with earned income below $90,000 have tuition fully covered. Second, merit: the Competitive Global Merit Scholarships can cover full-ride costs regardless of need. What makes Soka's paperwork distinctive is that it does NOT use the CSS Profile — you apply for financial aid using the completely free, downloadable Soka International Student Financial Aid Application (SISFAA). Soka is permanently test-optional, but note that an English proficiency exam IS required for non-native speakers. One important limitation: Soka does not accept transfer students — it admits only first-year freshmen, and prior college credits do not transfer. With a freshman acceptance rate of around 44%, Soka is one of the more accessible fully-funded options in the U.S.
At a glance
- SAT Required
- No — Soka is permanently test-optional. SAT/ACT scores are not required and are not needed for a full holistic review.
- English Proficiency Required
- Yes — REQUIRED for non-native English speakers. Submit TOEFL iBT (school code 4066) or the Duolingo English Test.
- Apply With CSS Profile
- No — Soka does NOT use the CSS Profile. You apply for aid using the completely free, downloadable Soka International Student Financial Aid Application (SISFAA).
- CSS Fee Waiver
- Not applicable — since there is no CSS Profile, there is no CSS fee to waive. The SISFAA is entirely free.
- CSS Waiver Type
- There is no CSS Profile at Soka. Instead, complete the free SISFAA (Soka International Student Financial Aid Application) and submit it with your parent/student income tax documents.
- Acceptance Rate (Freshman)
- ~44% — relatively accessible for a fully-funded school.
- Application Fee (Freshman)
- $30 (Common App or Soka Online Application). Common App, College Board, and NACAC fee waivers are accepted for eligible low-income students.
- Transfer Students
- Not accepted — Soka admits only first-year freshmen. Prior college credits do not transfer; you must start as a freshman.
- Acceptance Rate (Transfer)
- N/A — no transfer admission
- Application Fee (Transfer)
- N/A
What “full scholarship” means here
This school guarantees it will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need. In simple English: if you get accepted and you've applied for financial aid and you don't have any money to attend, they can give you a full scholarship to cover your cost of attendance. Both conditions matter — and the CSS Profile is how you prove your need.
Soka Opportunity Plan & Need-Based Financial Aid (up to 100% of cost of attendance)
Need-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- Up to 100% of the total cost of attendance, based on demonstrated need
- Full tuition covered for families with earned income below $90,000 (Soka Opportunity Plan)
Who qualifies
Admitted first-year international students who apply for financial aid via the free SISFAA. Through the Soka Opportunity Plan, families with earned income below $90,000 have tuition fully covered. Aid is available to first-year freshmen only — Soka does not admit transfer students.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply for admission through the Common Application or the Soka Online Application ($30 fee; Common App, College Board, or NACAC fee waivers accepted for eligible low-income students).
- 2Submit official high school transcripts (translated if needed), the two mandatory essay prompts, a list of extracurricular activities/talents, and two letters of recommendation.
- 3Submit English proficiency scores if you are a non-native speaker — TOEFL iBT (school code 4066) or Duolingo. This is required.
- 4Complete the free SISFAA (Soka International Student Financial Aid Application) and submit it with your parent/student income tax documents. Soka does NOT use the CSS Profile.
Competitive Global Merit Scholarships (up to full-ride)
Merit-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- Up to full-ride costs — covering the total cost of attendance
- Awarded on merit, independent of demonstrated financial need
Who qualifies
Admitted first-year international students, awarded competitively on academic and personal merit rather than financial need. Available to freshmen only — Soka does not admit transfer students.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply for admission through the Common Application or the Soka Online Application ($30 fee; fee waivers accepted for eligible low-income students).
- 2Submit official high school transcripts (translated if needed), the two mandatory essay prompts, your list of extracurricular activities/talents, and two letters of recommendation.
- 3Submit required English proficiency scores if you are a non-native speaker — TOEFL iBT (school code 4066) or Duolingo.
- 4Strong applicants are automatically considered for the Competitive Global Merit Scholarships as part of the admission review.
Good to know
- Two paths to full funding: need-based aid (up to 100% of cost of attendance, with full tuition covered for families earning under $90,000 through the Soka Opportunity Plan) AND the Competitive Global Merit Scholarships, which can cover full-ride costs regardless of need.
- No CSS Profile — Soka is unusual in that it does not use the CSS Profile. You apply for aid completely free using the downloadable SISFAA (Soka International Student Financial Aid Application), submitted with your parent/student income tax documents.
- English proficiency is REQUIRED for non-native speakers: submit TOEFL iBT (school code 4066) or the Duolingo English Test. Unlike some meet-need schools, this is not optional.
- Soka is permanently test-optional — SAT/ACT scores are not required.
- Freshman checklist: Common App or Soka Online Application, official high school transcripts (translated if needed), two mandatory essay prompts, a list of extracurricular activities/talents, two letters of recommendation, English proficiency scores (if applicable), and the free SISFAA plus parent/student income tax documents. The application fee is $30, with Common App / College Board / NACAC waivers accepted for eligible low-income students.
- No transfers: Soka admits only first-year freshmen. If you already have college experience you may still apply, but ONLY as a first-year — no credits transfer and you start as a freshman. Submit your prior university transcripts along with your freshman application.
Frequently asked questions
Does Soka University of America give full scholarships to international students?
Yes. Soka funds international students up to 100% of the total cost of attendance in two ways: need-based aid (through the Soka Opportunity Plan, families with earned income below $90,000 have tuition fully covered) and the Competitive Global Merit Scholarships, which can cover full-ride costs regardless of financial need.
Does Soka University require the CSS Profile for international students?
No. Soka does not use the CSS Profile. Instead, you apply for financial aid completely free using the SISFAA (Soka International Student Financial Aid Application), a downloadable form submitted with your parent/student income tax documents. Because no CSS Profile is used, there are no CSS fee waivers to worry about.
Does Soka University require an English proficiency exam for international students?
Yes. An English proficiency exam is required for non-native English speakers. Soka accepts the TOEFL iBT (school code 4066) or the Duolingo English Test.
Does Soka University require the SAT for international students?
No. Soka is permanently test-optional — SAT and ACT scores are not required, and your application receives a full holistic review with or without them.
What is Soka University of America's acceptance rate?
Around 44% for freshman applicants, making it one of the more accessible fully-funded schools in the U.S.
Is there an application fee for international students at Soka University?
Yes — $30, whether you apply through the Common Application or the Soka Online Application. Common App, College Board, and NACAC fee waivers are accepted for eligible low-income students.
Does Soka University accept international transfer students?
No. Soka admits only first-year freshmen and does not accept transfer students. Prior college credits do not transfer. If you already have university experience you may still apply, but only as a first-year student — submit your prior university transcripts with your freshman application.
Browse More Schools
Keep Reading
8 Universities with High Acceptance Rates & Full Funding for International Students (Part 1)
5 U.S. Universities That Let You Apply as a First-Year Student (Even If You've Attended University) & Give Full Scholarships
60+ American Universities with Full Scholarships for International Students (2026)
Not sure which schools to apply to?
Want me to help you build your school list and walk you through your applications, step by step? That's what my mentorship program is for.
In Nigeria? Skool is blocked there — if you see “under maintenance,” open the link with a VPN set to the US or UK.