John Paul the Great Catholic University is the Catholic University for Creative Arts & Business Innovation located in Escondido, California. Scroll down to explore three special scholarship programs we're offering for California residents.

Zero Tuition Scholarship

For Cal Grant-A Eligible Students

For Cal Grant-A eligible students, this scholarship along with your state and federal grants will cover your full cost of tuition.

Zero Tuition Scholarship - Eligibility Requirements:

JPCatholic’s Zero Tuition Scholarship is open to all California residents who are Cal Grant-A eligible.

Am I eligible for Cal Grant-A?

Your high school GPA needs to be over 3.0, and your high school needs to send your transcripts with your verified GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by March 3, 2025. Please submit early to allow sufficient time for processing.
*Due to wildfires, the GPA Submission deadline has been extended to April 2, 2025 for students of high schools and colleges in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

If you attend a public or charter high school, the school is responsible for submitting your GPA to CSAC.
If you attend an accredited private high school, the student is responsible for getting the form completed by their high school and mailing to CSAC.
If you are homeschooled or go to an unaccredited high school, CSAC will require the form and official standardized test scores in lieu of your high school transcripts.

Your family’s adjusted gross income and assets must be under the Cal Grant income and asset ceilings.
You must submit your FAFSA by March 2, 2025
Additional terms may apply for Cal Grant-A eligibility. Please visit the CSAC website for more information.

Applicants must meet JPCatholic’s application requirements, receive formal acceptance, and submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA application by March 2 2025.
Applicants must be new freshmen or transfer students entering in Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall 2025.
The amount of the scholarship award will be determined at the time of awarding once state and federal aid amounts have been verified. Scholarship is renewable for the duration of the education. If your state and federal aid changes, your JPCatholic Zero Tuition scholarship amount will not be subject to increase for the duration of your attendance, which may result in a balance owed for tuition. Changes in state and federal aid could include but are not limited to:

An improvement in your family’s assets or income
Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (see University Catalog for full policy)
Using your maximum lifetime eligibility of Cal Grant (e.g. if you have used some Cal Grants at a prior college before transferring to JPCatholic or only took 12 credits per term)

This offer is subject to all the terms and conditions of our Institutional Aid; please review more information here. Recipients are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
The Zero Tuition Scholarship applies to tuition only, not other costs such as housing, books, food, transportation, and personal expenses.

How to Apply:

First, apply for admission to JPCatholic
After you are admitted to JPCatholic, submit your FAFSA application and be sure to list John Paul the Great Catholic University as a recipient school (our school code is 041937).
Once you submit your FAFSA, complete this short application form and our Financial Aid Office will confirm your Cal Grant eligibility. If eligibility is confirmed, you will receive the COVID Zero Tuition Scholarship documents to accept the award. Please note that if a student’s FAFSA is selected for verification, the scholarship award will not be finalized until verification is complete.

Golden State Scholarship

For California Students Who Are Not Eligible for Cal Grant-A

For those not eligible for Cal Grant-A, the Golden State Scholarship can still make JPCatholic a very affordable in-state opportunity. We’re committed to making JPCatholic attainable for students of all financial backgrounds.

Parish Scholarships

Special Scholarship for Parishioners

JPCatholic has special scholarship programs for most Catholic churches in Southern California. Simply for being a parishioner and submitting a letter of recommendation from parish staff, you can qualify for additional aid.

See if your parish is on the list

Apply Now for Admission

If you’re interested in one of these scholarship opportunities, the first step is to apply for admission. Our online application only takes 10 minutes!

Apply Now Explore Programs

Not sure what you qualify for? Schedule a Financial Planning Consultation call with one of our reps.

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We're the Catholic University for Creative Arts & Business Innovation

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Envision your future at JPCatholic

Learn by Doing

At JPCatholic, you don't just learn the theory, you put it into practice – starting right from your Freshman year. Whether it's building a business in our Incubator or casting SAG talent for your senior capstone film, you'll learn what it takes to bring your vision to life with professionally produced projects.

See Student Showcase

Experience the Benefits of a Small Campus Environment

With a total student body under 300, JPCatholic offers a warm and welcoming campus community. Foster lifelong friendships, form creative partnerships, and surround yourself with a supportive environment that encourages your growth in both virtue and artistic excellence. Our small classroom sizes offer the chance for one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals who still work in their field.

Join a Virtual Tour

Experience the Benefits of a Small Campus Environment

With a total student body under 300, JPCatholic offers a warm and welcoming campus community. Foster lifelong friendships, form creative partnerships, and surround yourself with a supportive environment that encourages your growth in both virtue and artistic excellence. Our small classroom sizes offer the chance for one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals who still work in their field.

Join a Virtual Tour

Graduate in 3 Years

Our unique academic model prepares students for the real-world pace of professional life in the industry, with a focus on hands-on projects, internships, and portfolio preparation. The program is structured on a year-round quarter system, and you graduate with your Bachelors Degree in just 12 quarters. Each quarter is 10 weeks long, with about 3 weeks of break between each quarter.

See How It Works

Grow in a Supportive Catholic Community

Our campus is a place where students can grow both professionally and spiritually. We’re a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Immerse yourself in an abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, including Daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, Retreats, and Service Projects.

Learn More

Grow in a Supportive Catholic Community

Our campus is a place where students can grow both professionally and spiritually. We’re a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Immerse yourself in an abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, including Daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, Retreats, and Service Projects.

Learn More

Launch a Successful Career

JPCatholic alumni have found success in a variety of paths, ranging from Hollywood to independent media organizations, and from large corporations to nonprofits to their own entrepreneurial start-ups. View our placement rate and alumni jobs by clicking below.

See Alumni Success

Where are we located?

Our campus is located in north county San Diego, in historic downtown Escondido – about a 5-minute drive from the 15 freeway.

Join a Virtual Tour Visit in Person

Apply Now For Admission

If you’re interested in one of these scholarship opportunities, the first step is to apply for admission.

Already Accepted to JPCatholic? Talk with your Admissions Representative about applying for these scholarship opportunities.

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Stay In-State Scholarships

Receive an affordable Catholic education, right here in California

Stay In-State Scholarships

Receive an affordable Catholic education, right here in California

John Paul the Great Catholic University is the Catholic University for Creative Arts & Business Innovation located in Escondido, California. Scroll down to explore three special scholarship programs we're offering for California residents.

Zero Tuition Scholarship

Golden State Scholarship

Parish Scholarships

Apply Now for Admission

We're the Catholic University for Creative Arts & Business Innovation

Envision your future at JPCatholic

Learn by Doing

Experience the Benefits of a Small Campus Environment

Experience the Benefits of a Small Campus Environment

Graduate in 3 Years

Grow in a Supportive Catholic Community

Grow in a Supportive Catholic Community

Launch a Successful Career

Where are we located?

Apply Now For Admission

Stay In-State Scholarships

Receive an affordable Catholic education, right here in California

Stay In-State Scholarships

Receive an affordable Catholic education, right here in California

John Paul the Great Catholic University is the Catholic University for Creative Arts & Business Innovation located in Escondido, California. Scroll down to explore three special scholarship programs we're offering for California residents.

Zero Tuition Scholarship

Zero Tuition Scholarship - Eligibility Requirements:

How to Apply:

Golden State Scholarship

Golden State Scholarship - Eligibility Requirements:

How to Apply:

Parish Scholarships

Apply Now for Admission

We're the Catholic University for Creative Arts & Business Innovation

Envision your future at JPCatholic

Learn by Doing

Experience the Benefits of a Small Campus Environment

Experience the Benefits of a Small Campus Environment

Graduate in 3 Years

Grow in a Supportive Catholic Community

Grow in a Supportive Catholic Community

Launch a Successful Career

Where are we located?

Apply Now For Admission