Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Whitman College believes in the value of a liberal arts education, and we are committed to making that education accessible to all students regardless of their economic circumstances. That’s why we offer a comprehensive financial aid program and a dedicated team of financial aid staff who work closely with students and their families.
Whitman College offers scholarships, grants, loans, and federal and state work-study programs, to help make college affordable. Merit- and talent-based scholarships are available for students regardless of financial need. We also offer generous need-based scholarships.
Over 96% of students receive financial aid, with an average need-based aid package of more than $57,884. Last year, the college awarded more than $48 million in financial aid.
We know the importance of investing in higher education, and work closely with students to balance their debt by finding external scholarships and helping connect students with employment. On average, Whitmanstudents who take out loans graduate with less than $20,000 in student loans.
Federal aid programs include Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study, and Direct Loans. The state of Washington offers Washington College Grants, College Bound Scholarships, and state work-study program.
Awards to domestic students with need are based on financial information provided on the College Board’s CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Dependent students are requested to complete both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA. Independent students are requested to complete only the FAFSA. International applicants are no longer required to complete the CSS Profile, and instead must complete our internal Whitman International Student Financial Aid Application (WISFAA), for which there is no submission fee. Students do not need to submit the CSS Profile or FAFSA to be eligible for merit-based aid. Talent-based scholarships for music, debate, fine arts and Theater have a separate application.
Whitman’s merit-based awards are renewable for up to four years for full-time students. Need-based aid is recalculated every year and will adjust with tuition and changes to the student’s family situation.
Financial aid (both merit and need-based) is available for eight semesters at Whitman or, in the case of students transferring credits to the college, the equivalent of eight semesters when transfer credit and Whitman attendance are combined (regardless of whether or not financial aid was received at the previous institution). For financial aid purposes only, 15 credits is the equivalent of one semester. If a student is unable to earn the necessary credits to complete degree requirements in eight semesters, the student may petition the Admission and Financial Aid Committee for a ninth semester of financial aid (see Residence).