UCSC Silicon Valley Launches $1,000 Merit Scholarship for International Students.

• Merit-based scholarship supporting Indian students enrolling in career-focused UCSC Silicon Valley certificate programs

• Programs designed to offer industry exposure, career readiness, and proximity to Silicon Valley employers

• Scholarship supports F-1 international students beginning their academic journey in the global innovation capital. 

National, 9^thFebruary, 2026: UCSC Silicon Valley has announced the International Student Merit Scholarship, a merit-based award aimed at supporting international students, including those from India, who are to pursue certificate-based education at UCSC Silicon Valley. The scholarship offers a one-time award of USD 1,000, applied as a reduction to the International Student Fee during the student’s first quarter of enrolment, and is available to new F-1 international students enrolling full-time in eligible UCSC Silicon Valley certificate programs.

Designed for international graduates and early-career professionals, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension programs combine academic instruction with applied learning. The programs include project-based coursework and curricula aligned with current industry practices and focus on building practical skills relevant to roles in technology, business, and innovation-driven sectors in the U.S and other global markets.

Speaking on the announcement, Dean PK Agarwal, Dean, UCSC Silicon Valley, said:“With growing interest among Indian students in short-term professionally focused U.S. programs, there is increasing attention on programs that combine academic learning with practical exposure. Studying in Silicon Valley has become one such option. The region provides students with insight into how technology-driven industries operate in practice. At UCSC Silicon Valley, our Extension programs designed around applied learning models and focus on building skills relevant to today’s professional environments. The International Student Merit Scholarship “is intended to support international students as they begin their academic journey in the US.”

Somiya D, an alumna of the Project and Program Management Certificate at UCSC Silicon Valley, added: “The instructors gave examples based on industry practices and real-time scenarios, which made it easier to apply what we were learning directly to our work. The program helped bridge the gap between academic concepts and practical, workplace requirements.”

To be eligible, applicants must apply as new F-1 international students, meet all admission requirements for their chosen certificate program, submit complete application documentation, and enrol full-time as per visa regulations. The scholarship is not available to continuing students, part-time enrolments, or applicants on non-F-1 visa categories.

Applicants must submit a separate scholarship application, including a 300–500 word personal statement outlining academic objectives, professional interests, and reasons for applying to the program.. Scholarship applications must be submitted one month prior to the respective program application deadlines.

The application deadlines are as follows:

Fall: June 15

Winter: October 15

Spring: January 15

Summer: April 1

Applicants are advised to factor in visa processing timelines when planning their applications. Scholarship recipients must maintain full-time enrolment (12 units per quarter), achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0, remain in valid F-1 visa status, and comply with all academic and orientation requirements.

For more information on eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines, students are encouraged to visit the official UCSC Silicon Valley website: [https://www.ucsc-extension.edu/international/student-merit-scholarship

About UCSC Silicon Valley Extension:
University of California, Santa Cruz – Silicon Valley Professional Education is the professional education arm of UC Santa Cruz, offering accredited, industry-aligned programs in the heart of Silicon Valley. With over 300 professional development courses, it delivers short-term certificates and skill-focused programs through practical, project-based learning, internships, and OPT opportunities. Certified by WSCUC, the institution serves a diverse, global learner community and maintains strong partnerships with regional and international industry stakeholders.