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

Whitman offers scholarships in Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Art, and Debate. To apply for these scholarships, you will need to submit an online application form through Whitman's applicant portal, which you will gain access to once you submit your application for admission to Whitman using the Common Application. Depending on the scholarship(s) you apply for, you may have the option to audition on campus or submit a high-quality video recording.

Scholarship recipients will receive their awards with their offer of admission, with the exception of Early Decision candidates in Theatre Arts, Fine Arts, and Debate. In these cases, your scholarship will be awarded when Regular Decision admission offers are released, and will supersede your existing financial aid package. Music Scholarship applicants who plan to apply for admission to Whitman through Early Decision have the option of submitting their music scholarship application by an earlier deadline that will allow them to receive their awards at the same time as they receive Early Decision admission to Whitman.

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 who intend to audition on campus is Jan. 27, 2019. Applicants who intend to audition on campus must also schedule their auditions by this date, and all auditions will be held on February 2, 2019.

For students applying for the scholarship in a non-performance theatre art, or for those actors and dancers who are unable to come to campus and audition, electronic recordings and materials must be submitted by midnight on February 1, 2019.

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 February 3, 2019.

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding musical talent, regardless of what they intend to major in at Whitman. 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 Whitman's applicant portal and either audition on campus or submit a high-quality video recording by the scholarship application deadlines.

For students applying for admission through Early Decision 1 or 2: You may apply for a music scholarship by midnight on Monday, November 19. There is no on-campus audition option for students applying Early Decision-all recordings must be submitted electronically.

For students applying for admission through Regular Decision: Candidates who intend to audition on-campus must complete their applications by midnight on Saturday, January 19, 2019. On-campus auditions will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, and must be scheduled by January 19 as well (keep in mind the music department is closed on Saturdays). Candidates who don't intend to audition on campus must complete their applications by midnight on February 2, 2019.

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 has resumed from hiatus in the fall of 2018, and will compete 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 February 2, 2019.