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, theatre and dance, art or debate.

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 following merit scholarships. No additional application is necessary.

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.

The Garrett Sherwood Scholarships are awarded by Whitman to exceptional applicants who exhibit outstanding academic achievement, leadership and contributions to their schools and communities.

While at Whitman, Garrett Sherwood scholars meet regularly on campus throughout the school year for socials, networking receptions, roundtable discussions, national grant and fellowship information sessions, and other events. In addition, over spring break of junior year, Garrett Sherwood scholars travel to New York City for a career exploration and networking trip. There, they have a chance to meet local alumni who are leaders in finance, business, media, culture and government and can assist the scholars in making contacts in their potential career fields.

Garret Sherwood scholars are also invited to campus to visit at Whitman's expense during the weekend of Admitted Students Day or any weekend of their choice.

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.

President's and Talent-Based Scholarships

Whitman offers scholarships in music, theatre arts, visual art and debate. These talent-based awards require an additional application and may require an on-campus or video audition.

After submitting your application through the Common App, log-in to Whitman's applicant portal to apply for these scholarships.

The President's Scholarships meet all of the student's demonstrated financial need when combined with scholarships or grants from all other sources, which can amount to the full cost of tuition, housing and other fees for the given year.

Learn more about individual requirements below:

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers scholarships for students interested in acting, dance, design, directing, playwriting, stage management and technical theatre.

This award requires an on-campus or recorded audition.

Digital applications are due by 5:00 p.m., PST, on Friday, January 31, 2020. For those who elect to audition on campus, auditions will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 and must be scheduled by Tuesday, January 28 2020.

Learn more about the application requirements on the department website and in the applicant portal.

If you have exceptional talent, experience and demonstrated skill in art and intend to at least minor in art, we invite you to apply for a President's Scholarship in Fine Arts. This application requires a 10-piece portfolio of your artwork and a brief artist's statement. The portfolio may cover multiple media. Details about scholarship requirements are available in the applicant portal.

President's Scholarship in Fine Arts: All applications are due by 5:00 p.m., PST, on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Students interested in participating in Whitman's renowned debate program are encouraged to apply for the President's Scholarship in Debate through the applicant portal. All students are invited to apply, regardless of major or experience.

The application consists 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)
  • A brief statement on why you wish to participate in debate at Whitman

To maintain this scholarship, recipients are required to participate in Whitman's debate team for the duration of their time as a student.

All applications are due by 5:00 p.m., PST, on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

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

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).

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 a music scholarship you will need to submit an online application form through the applicant portal and either audition on campus or submit a high-quality video recording by the scholarship application deadlines. Auditions are offered for voice, piano and organ, and all orchestral instruments.

Music Scholarship applications for candidates applying for admission through Early Decision I or Early Decision II are due by midnight on November 15, 2019 and January 1, 2020, respectively. There are no on-campus auditions for early decision candidates.

For candidates applying for admission through Regular Decision, digital applications for students who do not intend to audition on campus are due by 5:00 p.m., PST, on February 1, 2020.

Applications for students who do intend to audition on campus, must include accompaniment sheet music and are due by 5:00 p.m., PST, on January 17, 2020. On campus auditions will be held on Februaury 1, 2020.

Learn more about music scholarship application requirements.

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.