About
Scholarships are an important tool for Whittier College to attract and retain students – regardless of their financial circumstances – and lower their student load debt. We are committed to providing affordable access to a college education for students who might not be able to attend Whitter College otherwise.
Below are general scholarship funds at Whittier College that help students afford Whittier’s high-quality liberal arts education. Award amounts depend on funds available and are at the discretion of the Financial Aid office. All student recipients are selected by the Office of Financial Aid.
Merit Based
Whittier Fund Scholarships:
A merit scholarship awarded to incoming students who have demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement, as well as to those displaying talent in the performing arts (music, theater, art). All students who complete their admission application are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships
which are awarded at the time of admission to Whittier. Merit awards are renewable each year for the duration of the students' time at Whittier.
Global Poet Scholarship (GPS):
Designed to increase student access to study abroad opportunities and to enhance students' global education. This award is a commitment of $2,000 to every student who studies abroad through Whittier's Office of International Programs. Approximately 40%ofWhittier's undergraduates participate in tudy abroad programs which are now offered in over 30 countries with more than 70 locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and Latin America.
Student Loan Relief Scholarship (NEW):
Awarded to graduating Whittier College seniors who achieve at least a 3.70 GPA. This scholarship is applied directly to a student's account to reduce their senior year federal student loan debt amount. Total award amount depends on the funds available; a minimum award is $500.Whittier College seniors of the class of 2019 graduated with an average of $25,495 in federal student loans.
Need Based:
Poet Forward Scholarship (NEW):
This scholarship aims to reduce the unmet financial need of Whittier students, making their college education more affordable and accessible. Unmet need is the amount that's left for the student to pay after their initial financial aid package (grants, scholarships, loans, work study) is awarded. Eighty
five percent of Whittier students have some unmet financial need; it can range from $2,000 to $25,000 and on average it is around $10,000. The Poet Forward Scholarship helps them continue to pursue a college degree, avoid dropping out or deter them from borrowing more money.
Poet Educator Scholarship (NEW):
Created to support students in Whittier's Masters of Arts in Education program, which has a decades-long tradition of preparing teachers and administrators who can meet the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of students in today's schools. This scholarship will benefit graduate students, many of whom are working professionals, by offsetting the cost of graduate tuition. It will also help recruit talented individuals to fill the ranks of teachers and reduce the teacher shortage affecting classrooms all across California and the U.S.