Need-Based Aid

Whitman College offers robust financial aid packages that include a mix of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study to help make your college education affordable. We’ll evaluate your family’s unique financial situation and strive to create a financial aid offer that meets your needs.

You will automatically be considered for merit-based academic scholarships when you to apply to Whitman. You may also apply for talent-based scholarships.

The following types of need-based aid may also be included in your total financial aid offer from Whitman. 

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are offered each year based on your family’s demonstrated need for financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid uses the information you’ve provided on your financial aid forms, as well as any additional documentation or information provided as part of your financial aid application, to determine your need-based scholarship offer each year.

Federal & State Grants

Based on the information on your FAFSA, you may be eligible for federal grants, including the Federal Pell Grant or the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. These grants are offered to students with exceptional financial need. 

If you are a Washington resident, you may be eligible for grants such as the Washington College Grant or College Bound Scholarship based on the information provided on your FAFSA or WASFA. 

Federal Loans

Based on the information on your FAFSA, you may be eligible for federal student loans. These loans give students the opportunity to borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education to help pay for college expenses. They have a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan, and you do not need to begin repaying them until six months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment.

Work-Study

Your financial aid package may include a work-study offer of up to $3,000 per year. Work-study gives you the opportunity to earn money for your education through an on-campus job and gain valuable and meaningful work experience. With Washington state’s high minimum wage, many students are able to earn their full work-study amount by working as little as six to eight hours a week.

Reapplying for Need-Based Aid

Students must reapply for need-based aid each year. If your family does not experience significant changes to your financial situation, you can expect a similar aid offer each year. It is also not unusual for students receiving need-based aid to receive additional aid as a result of changes to Whitman’s cost of attendance (like an increase in tuition and fees).

If Circumstances Change

If your family’s financial situation changes after you submit your financial aid forms, we will work with you to understand your situation and adjust for those changes to the extent possible. Please contact our office so we can determine what information we may need to update your financial aid application to better reflect your circumstances.