Financial Aid

Whitman College provides a comprehensive, diversified financial aid program — including scholarships, grants, employment opportunity, and loans — to assist in financing a college education. Awards take into account a variety of circumstances: some are based on need alone, some on merit alone, but most are based on a combination of both elements. The college spent approximately $23 million last year in support of student financial aid.

Many economists have pointed out the enormous potential return from an investment in an education at a top liberal arts and sciences college. At Whitman, we expect that students and families will consider the many loan programs that are available for financing this investment, without incurring excessive levels of debt.

Financial assistance for Whitman students derives from the resources of the college, outside private and corporate sources, and state and federal governments. Federal aid programs include Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study, Stafford Loans, and Perkins Loans. The state of Washington offers State Need Grants, and state work-study program.

Awards to students with need are based on financial information provided on the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Dependent students must complete both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA. Independent students must only submit the FAFSA.

Financial aid awards are made for one academic year. However, if the student is receiving merit-based aid, that aid will be available in successive years. Students who receive need-based aid must reapply in subsequent years to determine their eligibility for all forms of financial aid. Financial aid 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).

Running Start and Similar Programs

Students who earned credits from Running Start (either Washington’s Running Start or a similar program from another state) will choose one of the following two options: (1) transfer all Running Start credits so as to be enrolled at Whitman at the class level and with the financial aid availability consistent with the number of credits (Running Start and any post-secondary) transferred to the college. Those transferring fewer than 58 credits to Whitman must complete General Studies 145 and 146 in their initial year of enrollment. (2) Transfer no more than 14 Running Start semester credits and be considered first-year students for purposes of financial aid availability if they complete General Studies 145 and 146 (i.e. “Encounters”) during their initial year of enrollment at Whitman (See Financial Aid Website).

Students must declare to the Registrar whether they plan to choose between option 1 or 2 during their initial registration at Whitman. However, to give students a chance to reconsider their decision in light of their Whitman experience, the choice will not become official until the end of the student’s second semester of coursework. Should a student choose option 2 at this point, he or she will be required to complete General Studies 145 and 146 (i.e. “Encounters”) within his or her next two semesters of enrollment at Whitman.

Filing Deadlines

Students should file a Profile and a FAFSA according to the schedule below. If you are late applying for financial aid, you could be put on a waiting list for scholarship.

CSS Profile (for Whitman Need-Based Scholarship):

• Early Decision I candidates submitted to CSS by November 15
• Early Decision II candidates submitted to CSS by January 5
• Regular admission candidates submitted to CSS by February 1
• Transfer candidates submitted to CSS by March 1
• Returning students submitted to CSS by April 15
• Returning students must complete their financial aid file by May 1, including tax returns. See below.
• The Profile must be submitted online at www.collegeboard.org.

Whitman’s CSS code is 4951.

FAFSA (for Federal and State Aid):

• All students should file the FAFSA as soon as their parents (in the case of dependent students) or the student (in the case of an independent student) file the previous year’s tax return — but no later than May 1.
• The FAFSA should be submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If both the student and at least one parent have a federal PIN, they may use the PINs to sign the form online. Otherwise, the signature and certification page need to be printed out, signed, and submitted to the federal processor.
• We highly recommend that you use the IRS Data Retrieval tool on the FAFSA. It will automatically populate the income questions with IRS data from your last tax return.

Whitman’s federal code is 003803.

Income Tax Returns:

As part of their application for need-based financial aid, all dependent new and returning students must submit a signed copy of their own tax return and their parents’ tax return and W-2 forms, for the most recent year. Independent students need to submit a signed copy of their tax return and W-2 forms.

Late applications will be considered and additional offers made to late applicants only to the extent that aid funds are available.

Financial Aid Probation

In order to receive financial aid funds from Whitman College, the federal government, and the state of Washington, students must maintain good academic standing and must make satisfactory progress toward graduation. The grades and credits earned that are necessary for good academic standing and satisfactory progress are published in the Academic Standards section of this catalog. Whitman’s Board of Review will place students in a probationary status if they fail to meet the standards. Students who do not meet grade-point standards will be placed on academic probation; students who do not meet progress standards will receive a progress warning. In either instance, the students will be on probation as recipients of financial aid. The maximum period of financial aid probation is two consecutive semesters, during which time a student will maintain eligibility for financial aid. If a student does not resume good standing and/or make satisfactory progress after two consecutive semesters of probation, he or she will lose eligibility for Whitman-administered financial aid. A student who loses that eligibility may appeal for reinstatement to the Admission and Financial Aid Committee.

General Whitman Scholarships

Whitman scholarships, awarded by the college (one-half each semester), are gifts which are credited to the recipient’s tuition, room, and board charges. A scholarship is not a loan, and its acceptance places the recipient under no more obligation than that of remaining in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward graduation. A complete statement of the conditions of the offer is included with the offer of a need-based scholarship award.

Other Gift Aid Available

The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Pell Grants, and Washington State Need Grants are gift aid provided by the federal and state governments. All programs are based on financial need, and none require repayment. Unless a recipient’s need changes later in the year, Whitman’s original award of gift aid (Whitman scholarship and/or federal/state grants) is a one-year commitment to that amount of total gift aid. The award may be made before information regarding the applicant’s qualification for gift aid outside the college is known. When the applicant later qualifies for governmental gift aid, such as the SEOG, a Pell Grant, or state need grant, Whitman’s scholarship award will be reduced by the equivalent amount, thereby freeing funds so that more students may be helped.

Loan Opportunities

Several types of loan funds are available through the college. Those, including the Perkins Loan and the Stafford Loan, are regulated by the federal government. Each program has some unique features: The Perkins Loan is a program of borrowing for students who demonstrate a high degree of need. The student has the obligation to repay the loan, after leaving college, at an interest rate of 5 percent and a minimum payment of $50 monthly. The Stafford Loan program may be need-based or non-need-based. Within a 10-year period following college attendance, the student is obligated to repay the loan with a minimum monthly repayment of $50. As of July 1, 2013, new subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans will have a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent (interest rates are subject to change).

Students may borrow alternative loans to help with their educational expenses, when the amount of their financial aid does not meet their required level of funding.

There are several existing alternative loan programs, which may be viewed through a link on Whitman’s financial aid website, www.whitman.edu/offices-and-services/financial-aid. The interest rates and applicable fees vary, and we suggest that students and parents carefully read the information provided about the loans before making a decision about which loan program to choose. A comparison tool for alternative loans may be found at www.simpletuition.com.

Interest on the loans is the responsibility of the family throughout the life of the loan, but may be deferred along with the principal until the student leaves higher education. The Office of Financial Aid Services welcomes your questions about the alternative loans, and will be happy to assist you with the application process.

Short-term loans are available through the Student Loan Office to meet sudden financial needs confronting students.

Whitman encourages students and their parents to use loan funds wisely. Loans place some responsibility for financing higher education on the student, enabling him or her to receive financial assistance when needed and to pay some of the cost of the education at a time when he or she is better able to do so. Consequently, the college expects to give students reasonable financial help in the form of loans. Students should not exceed the amount they need to meet educational expenses when borrowing. Inquiries are welcome and should be sent to the Office of Financial Aid Services.

Employment Opportunities

All Whitman students who apply for financial aid and have need are offered employment opportunities. The offer of federal work-study opportunity often gives a student priority treatment in acquiring part-time work; however, jobs are not guaranteed. There is considerable competition for the most “desirable” jobs. For a current listing of job opportunities, please visit the Student Engagement Center’s website at www.whitman.edu/content/career_internships/student-jobs.

Named Scholarship Funds

Thanks to the generous support of Whitman alumni and friends, the college awards more than $23 million annually in scholarship assistance to its students. Scholarship funds are provided from both named endowments and annual contributions. Scholarship awards are based on financial need and/or merit. In the fall of each academic year, students are notified of the specific funds from which their scholarships are drawn. Named scholarship funds are listed below:

Special Scholarship Programs

Alexander J. Anderson Scholarships are merit-based scholarships awarded to entering students who have achieved high academic excellence in their college preparatory work. These awards for the current year are $11,000 and are renewable for four years. Students who receive need-based financial aid will be awarded the Alexander J. Anderson Scholarship as part of their need-based financial aid package. Those students who do not demonstrate need will receive the Alexander J. Anderson Scholarship and any other merit-based scholarships for which they qualify. All applicants for admission are considered for the scholarship. The award is based upon a calculation of grade-point average, SAT or ACT scores, and subjective criteria.

Walter Brattain Scholarships are merit-based scholarships awarded to entering students who have achieved high academic excellence in their college preparatory work. These awards for the current year are $13,000 and are renewable for four years. Students who receive need-based financial aid will be awarded the Walter Brattain Scholarship as part of their need-based financial aid package. Those students who do not demonstrate need will receive the Walter Brattain Scholarship and any other merit-based scholarships for which they qualify. All applicants for admission are considered for the scholarship. The award is based upon a calculation of grade-point average, SAT or ACT scores, and subjective criteria.

Campbell Music Scholarships are awarded to a select group of entering students in recognition of exceptional musical talent and achievement from the proceeds of the Agnes C. Steere Trust. The general purpose of this scholarship program is to recognize students who will contribute to the excellence of the Whitman music community. More specifically, the Campbell Music Scholars will contribute through the study of the instrument or voice on which they have successfully auditioned and through performance in the appropriate college ensemble, chamber orchestra, choir, or band. The minimum scholarship award is $500 annually; the maximum is $2,000 annually.

The Paul Garrett Scholarships for Men are supported by the $3 million Paul Garrett Whitman College Trust, which also provides for admission recruitment in areas removed from Washington, for travel of scholarship candidates to the college, and for a trip for the Paul Garrett scholars to New York City to visit financial and business centers. Students who do not demonstrate need will receive a $4,000 scholarship. Both the merit-based and need-based awards are renewable for a total of eight semesters, including semesters transferred from other colleges and universities. Students who have demonstrated need will receive 100 percent of their need in gift aid, which may include federal or state grants as well as the Paul Garrett Scholarship. Scholars are those “whose personal qualities and records of achievement hold promise that they will assume roles of constructive leadership in business and industry in their mature lives.” Awards are not limited to those ready to declare vocational aims, but it is hoped that there will be a significant number of Paul Garrett Scholars who will later emerge as responsible leaders of business and industry. Paul Garrett ’13 was vice president and director of public relations for General Motors Corporation.

Lomen-Douglas Scholarships are awarded to selected applicants from backgrounds that are underrepresented at Whitman College. The scholarship (combined with other scholarship and grant aid) is in an amount designed to advantage the applicant.

Pearson Scholarships are merit-based scholarships awarded to entering students who have achieved high academic excellence in their college preparatory work. These awards for the current year are $8,000, and are renewable for four years. Students who receive need-based financial aid will be awarded the Pearson Scholarship as part of their need-based financial aid package. Those students who do not demonstrate need will receive the Pearson Scholarship and any other merit-based scholarships for which they qualify. All applicants for admission are considered for the scholarship. The award is based upon a calculation of grade-point average, SAT or ACT scores, and subjective criteria.

Stephen B.L. Penrose Scholarships are merit-based scholarships awarded to entering students who have achieved high academic excellence in their college preparatory work. These awards for the current year are $9,500, and are renewable for four years. Students who receive need-based financial aid will be awarded the Stephen B.L. Penrose Scholarship as part of their need-based financial aid package. Those students who do not demonstrate need will receive the Stephen B.L. Penrose Scholarship and any other merit-based scholarships for which they qualify. All applicants for admission are considered for the scholarship. The award is based upon a calculation of grade-point average, SAT or ACT scores, and subjective criteria.

National Merit Scholarships are awarded to selected National Merit finalists with Whitman as the sponsoring organization. The college awards $1,000, plus any merit-based scholarship the student is eligible for, to students who do not apply for, or who do not qualify for need-based scholarship. Students who demonstrate need will receive an additional $2,000 in National Merit Scholarship.

President’s Scholarships are awarded to entering students in recognition of exceptional talent. Students may qualify for a President’s Scholarship in any of the following talent categories: academic, art, debate, or drama. Scholarships in the program meet all of the student’s demonstrated need when combined with other scholarships or grants from any other sources and vary from $4,000 to the amount of demonstrated need. President’s Scholarships for students without need will be $4,000.

The Claire Sherwood Memorial Scholarships for Women were established in the memory of Claire Sherwood by her parents, Donald and Virginia Sherwood. Recipients of these scholarships are outstanding women students who are both deserving and needy. Women students without demonstrated financial need will be awarded $4,000. Students who have demonstrated need will receive 100 percent of their need in gift aid, which may include federal or state grants as well as the Claire Sherwood Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is renewable for a total of eight semesters, including semesters transferred from other colleges and universities. Claire Sherwood Scholars, like Paul Garrett Scholars, visit New York for a career enrichment experience. Their expenses for the trip are paid by the scholarship program.

Student Awards

The Janice and Kim Abraham Student-Faculty Research endowment provides research stipends for student-faculty teams composed of a female student and a faculty member of any gender to conduct summer research in the natural sciences and mathematics, including computer science.

The Abshire Research Scholar Award is awarded annually to professors and students having a need for assistance for research in their scholarly pursuits. They are selected by the ASID committee on the basis of merit.

The Bates Foundation Award was established in 2003 by Patricia Bates Mattingley ’70 for the purpose of providing assistance to Wind Ensemble members who display strong leadership skills.

The J. Stanley Brode Memorial Biological Life Study Award was established by Mrs. J. Stanley Brode in memory of her husband. This fund aids a student for a summer scholarship in biology.

The Connie Jill Carlstrom Endowed Award in Japanese Studies is awarded to a promising student of Japanese language and culture with an interest in pursuing a career or graduate studies in some aspect of relations between Japan and the United States.

The Ely Chertok Award in Sociology was established in 1985 by friends and students of Professor Chertok. This award is made annually to a senior sociology major who has written a thesis which best demonstrates careful scholarship in pursuit of answers to general questions about the nature of man in society.

The Class of 1986 Minority Student Award is presented to a student on the basis of demonstrated leadership and active involvement at Whitman or in high school, and financial need.

The Dovell-Gose Prizes, established in memory of William Thomas Dovell, Class of 1888, and Christopher Columbus Gose, Class of 1886, are awarded upon the basis of persuasive speaking contests held once during the academic year.

The Adam Dublin Award for the Study of Global Multiculturalism provides research stipends to qualifying faculty and student teams doing scholarly or creative work on issues concerning multiculturalism in the United States or abroad. This endowment was established in 2003 by Trustee Kari Glover ’72 and her husband, Thaddas Alston, in memory of Adam Dublin ’96 and his commitment to raising awareness of diversity.

The Robert Y. Fluno Award is given annually to the author of the most outstanding student paper in the fields of political science and government. The endowment for this award was established by admiring former students of Professor Fluno.

The Gunsul Holmes One-Act Play Endowment provides support for the annual One-Act Play competition, including prize money to reward imagination and encourage creativity in the entries.

The Robert R. Hosokawa Awards for Journalism Excellence are given annually for distinguished student journalism in The Pioneer. Established by David and Beverly Hosokawa and the Hosokawa Family Foundation, this award honors Robert Hosokawa ’40 who wrote for The Pioneer and Clock Tower and earned his tuition as director of the Whitman news bureau while at Whitman. Mr. Hosokawa went on to work as a reporter and editor on several papers in the Midwest and in New York.

The Paul J. Jackson Award for Excellence in Literary Study is made to the student who, during the course of the academic year, writes the best paper in a class given by any of the departments of literature and language.

The Brady Jensen Latin American Studies Endowment provides funding to support field-based learning experiences led by Whitman faculty and student-faculty research in Latin America.

The Cynthia Ann Lechner Biology Prize is awarded to an outstanding senior biology major as selected by the department of biology faculty.

Brandon Bruce Lee Drama Awards and Internships provide financial assistance for outstanding students with a strong interest in drama at Whitman College. The Internship Award provides funds to grant stipends to students who otherwise would not be compensated for worthy drama internship experiences.

The Dr. Albert Ripley Leeds Memorial Prize in Geology is awarded each year to recognize one or more students with outstanding potential in the geological sciences. The prize was established by his daughter, Mrs. Warren Sheble, and other family members.

The Chester C. Maxey Award is presented to a worthy student who has attained distinction in the study of political science.

The Guthrie McClintic Drama Award is given each year to the male student in the college who has given the best dramatic performance of the year.

The David Nord Award in Gay and Lesbian Issues is awarded to a student, faculty member, or student/faculty team to address contemporary issues facing the gay and lesbian community through a variety of creative and scholarly mediums.

The Robert Norton Science Research Award provides support for students working closely with faculty to conduct research in the sciences.

The Louis B. Perry Student Art Awards present a first, second, and third prize to students entering work in the Winter Student Art Salon at Sheehan Gallery. A selection committee shall judge student artwork.

The Louis B. Perry Summer Research Awards were established to honor Louis B. Perry, eighth President of Whitman College, for his continuing leadership in the Whitman community. The purpose of the award is to encourage faculty to recruit Whitman College students to join them as collaborators in their professional scholarship.

The Sires-Whitner Prize in History is awarded annually to the outstanding senior history major as chosen by the faculty of the department of history.

The William W. Soper Prize in Philosophy was established by friends and family of Professor Soper in 1987. This award is made to the most outstanding senior philosophy major, to be selected by the faculty in the department.

The Arthur Belden Watts Student Research Fund supports biology or geology students. Art Watts was a member of the Class of 1975 who made a career as a development and exploration geophysicist. His friends and family established this award in his memory.

The Jonathan Woodward Work Memorial Endowment is awarded to a student to support his/her activities in enhancing and furthering the preservation and restoration of natural habitats.