How to Apply for Financial Aid

Whitman College offers a robust financial aid program that includes merit- and need-based aid, as well as scholarships, grants, work-study and loans.

All students who apply to Whitman are considered for merit scholarships—no separate application is required.

To apply for need-based aid, submit your financial aid forms by our application deadlines. If you’re admitted to Whitman, you’ll receive your financial aid offer with your admission decision. Your financial aid offer will include information about all merit- and need-based aid you’re eligible for. 

We’re happy to help you at any stage in the financial aid process. Get in touch by sending us an email at finaid@whitman.edu or giving us a call at 509-527-5178.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Required Forms

Whitman’s deadline for submitting financial aid applications is the same as our deadlines to apply for admission. However, we encourage you to complete your financial aid forms as early as possible so that we'll have plenty of time to answer your questions and create the best possible package for you. Yearly deadlines: 

• Early Decision I: Nov. 15
• Early Decision II: Jan. 10
• Regular Decision: Jan. 15
• Fall Transfers: March 1
• Spring Transfers: Nov. 1

Current students must reapply for need-based aid each year. The deadline for current students to submit their financial aid forms is April 15.

Applying for Aid: U.S. Students

Required Forms: CSS Profile and FAFSA

To apply for financial aid as a dependent U.S. student, you'll need to complete both the CSS Profile and FAFSA:

CSS Profile

What is the CSS profile? The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid.

Complete a CSS Profile at: cssprofile.collegeboard.org. The CSS Profile is available yearly starting Oct. 1. To send the CSS Profile to Whitman, enter our school code (4951) in the college selection section of the CSS Profile. There is a fee associated with submitting the CSS Profile—however, many students qualify for a fee waiver from College Board. 

Divorced/separated parents: If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, or unmarried and living in separate households, each parent will need to complete a CSS Profile. More information about this requirement can be found on the CSS Profile website. If you would like to request that we waive this requirement, please submit a waiver request form to our office.

FAFSA

What is the FAFSA? Colleges use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans.

Complete a FAFSA at: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. To send the FAFSA to Whitman, enter our school code (003803) in the college selection section of the FAFSA. There is no fee associated with submitting the FAFSA.

Whitman uses the federal government’s criteria to determine a student’s dependency status for financial aid purposes. 

If you meet the criteria to be considered an independent student for financial aid purposes, you are not required to complete the CSS Profile. To complete your application for need-based financial aid, you will only be required to complete the FAFSA.

Applying for Aid: International Students

Required Form: Whitman International Student Financial Aid Application (WISFAA)

Whitman does not require international applicants to submit the CSS Profile; instead, we ask that you complete the Whitman International Student Financial Aid Application (WISFAA), which is available to complete after a student has submitted an application for admission to Whitman College. There is no fee associated with this WISFAA. International applicants seeking only merit aid do not need to complete the WISFAA.

International students seeking financial aid are encouraged to apply for Regular Decision. Though we attempt to make final admission decisions for international students who apply Early Decision, it is possible that your application will be deferred to Regular Decision for consideration with the entire international applicant pool. If you have questions, please contact us at international@whitman.edu or call 509-527-5176.

Find more financial aid information for international students, including student employment and merit scholarships. 

Applying for Aid: Undocumented and DACA Students

Required Forms: WASFA (Washington residents) and CSS Profile

Whitman meets 100% of demonstrated need, with no loan expectation, for students who have DACA status or are undocumented. The financial aid application process for undocumented students and students with DACA status is identical to the process for U.S. citizens and permanent residents except that there is no need to complete the FAFSA, just the CSS profile. 

Undocumented and DACA students who are Washington residents may submit the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), which is used to determine eligibility for Whitman need-based aid as well as Washington state aid, such as the Washington College Grant or College Bound Scholarship. Undocumented and DACA students who are not Washington residents can apply for Whitman need-based aid by submitting the CSS Profile.

Find more financial aid information for undocumented and DACA students, including student employment and merit scholarships. 

Requesting Re-evaluation of Your Financial Aid

We understand that financial situations can change and that the information on your financial aid forms may not tell the full story. If your family has experienced special or unusual circumstances—like a job loss, unexpected medical expenses or other financial challenges—you can request a re-evaluation of your aid offer.

Before reaching out, please review your submitted financial aid forms. Identify any changes or missing information that could give us a clearer picture of your current situation. Then, contact us to discuss next steps. We’re here to help!