Merit and Talent Awards

You will automatically be considered for several merit-based academic scholarships once you apply to Whitman. We offer additional scholarships to students who have demonstrated excellence in music, theater, and art.

Yet another avenue for earning merit aid at Whitman is through our partnership with RaiseMe, a micro-scholarship platform through which we reward students for academic achievements and extracurricular involvement.

General Merit-Based Academic Scholarships

When you apply to Whitman, you will automatically be considered for the merit scholarships listed in this section.

Whitman Merit Scholarships

Whitman awards four-year renewable merit-based scholarships of up to $20,000 to entering students who have excelled academically.

Once you are awarded a merit scholarship you will continue to receive the same merit award during each of your four years at Whitman. If you are enrolled less than full-time in any year, your scholarship amount will prorated based on the number of credits you take.

Paul Garrett and Claire Sherwood Memorial Scholarships

These prestigious scholarships are awarded to approximately 12 students in each incoming class. Whitman meets 100% of demonstrated need for students who receive these scholarships—up to $60,000 per year—without any work or debt obligations.

The Eells Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an entering student who has financial need and demonstrates high academic achievement and talent in the fine or performing arts or humanities. The Eells scholarship covers tuition and fees for four years and includes a research grant.

National Merit Scholarships

If you are a National Merit finalist and you notify the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1 that Whitman is your first-choice college, you will receive a National Merit Scholarship from Whitman if you are admitted. National Merit finalists who qualify for need-based aid will receive a $2,000 annual scholarship; students that don't qualify for need-based aid will receive a $1,000 annual scholarship.

Scholarships in Music, Art, Debate,and Theater and Dance

You can become eligible for President's Scholarships and the Higley and Campbell music scholarships through an additional application process. Once you submit your application for admission to Whitman using the Common App, you will be able to access applications for these scholarships through Whitman's applicant portal.

To qualify for these awards, you will need to submit an online application (in addition to your application to Whitman through the Common App) and will either need to audition on campus or submit a high-quality video recording by the scholarship application deadlines.

If you have questions about a particular scholarship, contact Louise Karneus, Admission Officer and Scholarship Coordinator, at karneule@whitman.edu.

President's Scholarships

President's Scholarships are awarded to exceptional performers in debate, art, theater or dance. Scholarship recipients may major in any field but are expected to participate in their awarded areas during their years at Whitman.

Whitman meets 100% of demonstrated need for students who receive President's Scholarships—up to $60,000 per year—without any work or debt obligations.

Scholarships in Theatre and Dance

Theatre and Dance faculty members evaluate applications for the President's Scholarship in Theatre and Dance. You'll find details about the application and audition process on the Theatre and Dance department website and in the applicant portal. The application deadline for all candidates is Jan. 27, 2018. Applicants who intend to audition on campus must also schedule their auditions by this date. Auditions will be held on Feb. 3, 2018.

Scholarships in Art

Art department faculty members evaluate applications for the President's Scholarship in Art. Details about the application process are available here and in the applicant portal. The application deadline for all candidates is Feb. 3, 2018.

Music Scholarships

The Music department awards two different types of four-year, renewable scholarships to students with exceptional musical ability—the Higley Music Scholarship and the Campbell Music Scholarship.

All music scholarship recipients are required to perform in the appropriate Whitman ensemble (wind ensemble, orchestra, jazz band, or chorale). Pianists must accompany to fulfill ensemble requirements.

To qualify for either of these awards, you will need to submit an online application (in addition to your application to Whitman through the Common App) and will either need to audition on campus or submit a high-quality video recording by the scholarship application deadlines.

Candidates who intend to audition on-campus must complete their applications by Jan. 21, 2018. On-campus auditions, which will be held on Feb. 3, 2018, must also be scheduled by this date. Candidates who don't intend to audition on campus must complete their applications by Feb. 3, 2018.

Higley Music Scholarships

The Higley Music Scholarship is a prestigious award that is offered to a few students who declare in writing at the time of acceptance their intention of becoming a music major (which does not exclude the possibility of a double major).

Campbell Music Scholarships

Campbell Music Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding musical talent, regardless of what they intend to major in at Whitman.

More information about the Campbell and Higley Music Scholarships »

Scholarships in Debate

Whitman's debate team will resume from hiatus in the fall of 2018, and will initially compete only in parliamentary debate events. If you have interest and experience in this area, we encourage you to apply for the President's Scholarship in Debate through your applicant portal (forms are located at the bottom of the page). If you do not have experience in parliamentary events specifically, but are interested in competing at Whitman, you are still free to submit an application. Your application will consist of four parts: a list of your debate experience and any awards or rankings, a letter of recommendation from a debate coach, an example of your work in debate (part of a file), and a brief statement on why you wish to participate in debate at Whitman. Note that to maintain this scholarship, recipients are required to participate in Whitman's debate team for the duration of their time as a student. Submissions are due on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.