UCSC Silicon Valley Announces $1,000 Merit Scholarship for F-1 International Students

UCSC Silicon Valley has announced its International Student Merit Scholarship, offering a one-time award of USD 1,000 to support new F-1 international students enrolling full-time in eligible certificate programs at the institute. The scholarship will be applied as a reduction in the international student fee for the recipient’s first quarter of enrolment.

Who Is Eligible for the Scholarship?

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Apply as a new F-1 international student to a qualifying certificate program.
• Submit the complete programme application and all required documentation before the programme deadline.
• Enrol full-time in accordance with F-1 visa regulations.
• Submit a separate scholarship application with a 300–500-word personal statement outlining academic goals, professional interests, and reasons for applying.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and remain in valid F-1 visa status throughout enrolment

The scholarship is not available to continuing students, part-time enrollees, or students on visa categories other than F-1.

How the Scholarship Works?

The International Student Merit Scholarship provides financial support targeted at international graduates and early-career professionals who want to pursue short-term professional education focused on applied learning. These programs at UCSC Silicon Valley combine academic instruction with project-based coursework and industry-aligned curricula to build practical skills relevant to careers in technology, business, and innovation-driven sectors. Recipients will see the USD 1,000 award automatically applied as a reduction in their first quarter international student fee, helping to offset initial expenses associated with studying abroad.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Prospective applicants must factor in both programme and scholarship deadlines, as well as visa timelines. Scholarship applications are typically due one month before each program’s final deadline. General deadlines include:

• Fall admission: 15 June
• Winter admission: 15 October
• Spring admission: 15 January
• Summer admission: 1 April

Applicants are encouraged to complete their programme and scholarship applications well in advance to allow adequate time for F-1 visa processing and enrolment planning Overall, the UCSC Silicon Valley merit scholarship presents an opportunity for international students, including those from India, to receive early financial support as they begin their academic journey in the United States.