Financial Aid for International & DACA Students

International Students

Need-Based Financial Aid: Whitman College meets 100% of demonstrated need for international students from outside the U.S. 

Whitman uses the Whitman International Student Financial Aid Application (WISFAA), which asks international students to indicate the amount in U.S. Dollars they are able to contribute toward the cost of attending Whitman. This family contribution amount will be subtracted from the total cost of attendance to determine demonstrated need. Because the total cost of attendance includes tuition, food and housing, books, incidentals, and health insurance, international students will have the funding they need to cover those costs.

There is no fee associated with completing the WISFAA. 

Whitman has limited funding available to assist with travel and visa costs for international students. When completing the WISFAA, you may request financial assistance to cover the cost of a one-way flight to Whitman and/or the cost of SEVIS fees.

Whitman is highly need-aware for international students. Fewer than 2% of international students who will require full financial support to attend Whitman and who do not have an additional source of funding (such as the Davis United World College scholarship) are offered admission. 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.

On-campus Work: International students, regardless of financial need, have the opportunity to work on campus up to 15 hours per week while classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during holidays and breaks.

Beginning with incoming international students in Fall 2025, first year international students do not have a work study expectation built into their financial aid offer to ensure that students have time to secure employment and accumulate savings to prepare for future costs. In subsequent years, international students will have the same work study expectation as U.S. citizens receiving need-based financial aid. The amount of that work expectation is based on 6 hours of work per week, which currently amounts to $3,000. A list of open positions and instructions on how to apply for on-campus Student Employment are available from Human Resources.

Merit-Based Scholarships: International students who do not wish to apply for need-based scholarships are still eligible for academic merit-based scholarships. There is no separate application for these scholarships; all applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships.

Talent Scholarships: International applicants are eligible to apply for talent scholarships in music, art, debate or theater. Separate applications for these scholarships are available through Whitman’s applicant portal after the Common App has been submitted to Whitman. 

Undocumented / DACA Students

Need-Based Scholarships: Whitman College meets 100% of demonstrated need for students who have DACA status or are undocumented. Funding is available for at least two students each year. All undocumented or DACA status students must submit the CSS Profile, and students from Washington state should also 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.