Current Whitman Students

Applying for Aid

If you are receiving a need-based financial aid package, you must reapply for financial aid each year. Returning students must submit their CSS Profile and FAFSA by no later than April 15.

If your financial circumstances haven't changed since the last time you applied for aid, you will receive a similar need-based award amount.

Merit aid awards are guaranteed for all four years you are at Whitman, as long as you make satisfactory academic progress towards your degree.

Perkins Loans

See the Business Office's Perkins Loan page for more information about accepting and repaying your Perkins Loan.

Emergency Funds

The college has a short-term loan program for students who have a legitimate need for the money and can repay the loan within 30 days. There is no interest on the loan, but you must repay within the month. If you fail to do so, you are ineligible for any further short-term loans.

Each student may receive up to three short-term loans per year unless a crisis occurs after you have already received the maximum number of loans. To request an emergency loan, you will need to see Debra Wright, Accounts Coordinator in the Business Office, in Memorial Hall.

Information for Seniors and Graduates

Exit Interviews

Students with federal loans are required to attend the Financial Aid office's exit counseling presentation before their enrollment deposit will be refunded.

If you have questions about loan repayment after you attend the exit counseling presentation, you can review it again online or contact the Financial Aid office.

Repaying Your Loans

You'll find more information about loan repayment for the types of loans you have on the Federal Student Aid site.

Most loans have several repayment options to choose from. Consult the Federal Student Aid repayment plans page for more information, and complete the loan simulator to determine how much your monthly loan payments will be.

Deferring Your Loan Repayments

If you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may request that your direct loan repayments be deferred for between six and nine months after you leave higher education. During the deferment period, interest generally does not accrue on subsidized loans, although it does continue to accrue on unsubsidized loans. If you leave college and then return sometime later you can defer repayment again.