Student Financing

Whittier College offers a full range of programs to help students pursue their education which include: merit scholarships which recognize outstanding academic achievement, leadership, service, or talent; need-based grants, loans, and work programs for families who need assistance in meeting college costs; and alternative financing plans.

Scholarships

Academic Scholarships. Each year the faculty honors a select group of entering students with prestigious awards in recognition of academic achievement, leadership, service, or special talent. The John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarships range from $8,000 a year to full tuition; financial need is not a consideration in granting these awards. Winners are expected to participate in the leadership of the College community and will in turn benefit greatly from their special relationship with the faculty and their peers. These awards are renewable for up to four years of continuous study at Whittier College if the student maintains the specified grade point average and remains in good standing with the College.

Talent Scholarships. These awards are offered to entering students in the areas of art, music, and theatre arts. Winners are expected to enrich our community through the use and sharing of their talent but are not required to major in their talent field. Each talent scholarship department requires audition and portfolio reviews. These awards are also renewable for up to four years of continuous study at Whittier College as long as the student continues to participate in and contribute to his or her talent area, meets specified departmental criteria, and remains in good standing with the College.

Alumni Scholarships. These awards are offered to sons and daughters of Whittier alumni and are valued at $1,000 per year for a maximum of four years. Qualified applicants may receive this award in addition to John Greenleaf Whittier Merit and/or Talent Scholarships.

Need-Based Aid

Whittier College believes that a diverse student population adds to the richness of an education. This philosophy is evidenced in our support of scholarship and financing programs and, most importantly, in the College’s commitment to providing funds for deserving students who otherwise could not attend. Families participating in need-based aid programs agree to several commitments. Foremost among these is that parents and students must support the student’s educational expenses to the extent that they can, and students must seek all available outside sources of funding. For California residents, this includes applying for the Cal Grant awards. Other sources of funds may include high school, church, community, or corporate-sponsored awards. The College will evaluate each family’s ability to pay on the basis of a nationally accepted formula. In determining a family’s need for assistance, all costs associated with a Whittier education are considered, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation.

Whittier College utilizes funds from the federal and state governments, donors, and our own resources to assist families in meeting costs that cannot be afforded or covered by other outside resources. These funds take the form of grants, loans, and work awards for undergraduate students. Graduate and credential students are considered for loan support only. Grants are gifts of money that do not have to be repaid. Loans are normally low-interest and do not require repayment while the student is in school. Work awards allow students to earn funds to cover a portion of their expenses while gaining valuable work experience. The amount, source, and terms of each award offered an applicant are detailed in the student’s award notification letter.

Eligibility: To be eligible for need-based aid, a student must be either a citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the United States. Applicants must be enrolled in a program of study at Whittier College that leads to a degree, approved certificate, or credential. Many programs require at least half-time enrollment while most require full-time enrollment. Applicants must not be in default on repayment of any student loan or owe refunds for federal grant funds. Students must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degree as defined by College policy (available from the Office of Financial Aid).

How To Apply

The Office of Financial Aid is committed to helping students identify and obtain the maximum need-based assistance available.

Entering Students. To be considered for funding, new students should follow the steps outlined below. For priority consideration, all three steps must be completed by February 15 of the preceding academic year.

Step 1: Apply for admission to Whittier College by completing the Common Application. Applicants need not wait for an admission decision before proceeding to Step 2.

Step 2: Complete the Basic Asset Data Sheet (available online) and return it to the Office of Financial Aid.

Step 3: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Whittier College’s school code is 001342. California residents should be sure to complete the statement of their California residency to apply for the Cal Grant. Whittier College must be listed in the school section

Admitted students who meet the priority filing date may be mailed a detailed eligibility letter starting on April 1. Students who decide to accept the offer and attend Whittier College may be asked to provide documentation supporting the financial information reported on the FAFSA prior to disbursement of funds.

Continuing Students. Continuing students must apply for renewal of their assistance each year. To apply for renewal, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2 of the year preceding the academic year. Students also must submit a Renewal Request form with the Office of Financial Aid. Applicants who are required to submit additional information and documentation will be notified.

International Students. A limited amount of assistance is available to international students who otherwise would not be able to attend Whittier College. The awards are based on academic promise and financial need. Information on award amounts, availability, and application requirements is available from the Office of Admission.

Alternative Financing Plans. Many families who have the resources to afford a Whittier education, as well as those who wish to augment their need-based assistance, may wish to spread the payment of college expenses over the course of the year or longer. Families may use the following financing programs as they engage in planning for their children’s education.

Short-Term Financing. Whittier College participates in a short-term payment plan through Academic Management Services (AMS). The AMS plan has been designed to relieve the pressure of large “lump sum” payments by allowing families to spread the cost of education over ten months without borrowing money or paying interest charges. A small application fee is required per school year, and the plan automatically includes a Life Benefit Coverage. Payment under the plan normally begins on June 1 prior to the designated academic year. Application for participation can be made through mid-August with an applicable down payment required.

Long-Term Financing. These plans allow families to pay in smaller installments over a longer period of time, normally from five to twenty years. The loans are made in coordination with the Office of Financial Aid, through outside lending institutions or agencies in amounts ranging from $500 per year to the cost of full expenses at Whittier College. Participation in the plans is based on the borrowers’ credit worthiness and ability to repay. Applications are normally made in June for the following academic year.

Whittier College Endowed Awards and Annual Scholarships

Whittier College has a long and proud tradition of providing scholarship support to its deserving and talented students. Annually, 70% of our students receive some form of College-funded grant support. This is made possible in part through the generous support of the loyal and dedicated scholarship donors - alumni, friends, foundations and organizations - who have chosen to invest their philanthropic dollars in our remarkable students. Without their continuous and generous support, many qualified students would not be able to take advantage of a Whittier education. Students are considered for these annual and endowed awards through the admission and financial aid application processes.

Endowed Awards

Joseph P. and Kathleen Cosand Endowment

Carl W. Ackerman Endowment

Edward and Rosa Ahlswede Endowment

Max B. and Ruth B. Alcorn Endowment

Thelma Sprague Allen Endowment

Harvey B. and Madge W. Alverson Music Endowment

Madge W. Alverson Speech & Drama Endowment

Dr. John A. Arcadi Endowment

Ethel Townsend Ball Endowment

Banco Popular Endowment

Mabel H. Bankhead Endowment

Barbara Morse Barr Graduate Education Fellowship Endowment

Granville B. and Helena Barrett Basye Endowment

Alva G. Bellah Endowment

Eva B. and Harry C. Billings Endowment

Ralph E. and Eula Bishop Endowment

Wanda L. Brandsaw ‘47 Endowment

Ila and Victor Brock Endowment

W.O. and Otis A. Brown Memorial Endowment

Hazel Caldwell Endowment

Class of 1934 Richard Spaulding Endowment

Class of 1957 Endowment

Class of 1961 Endowment

Class of 1968 Endowment

Genevieve Shaul Connick Memorial Endowment

Dr. C. J. Cook and Evelyn Jessup Cook Endowment

Charles W. and Edris Cooper Drama Prize Endowment

Ruth Schaefer Corzine Endowment

Sylvia Marie Cosand Endowment

Ardys M. Cox Endowment

Lex B. Cox International Endowment

John H. Crow Endowment

James and Ida Scholer Darling Endowment

John F. and Katherine N. Dean Education Endowment

Richard and Billie Deihl Teaching Endowment

Grace Elizabeth Dickerson Endowment

Floyd E. and F. Earl Durham Biology Endowment

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGregor Erwin Endowment

Richard P. Ettinger, Jr. Endowment

Herbert F. and Elizabeth S. Evans Endowment

Elizabeth Delia Felt and Jessie Felt Savage Endowment

William and Christine R. Ferguson Memorial Endowment

Roberta J. Forsberg Humanities Endowment

Jeffrey Thomas Foster Memorial Endowment

Judith A. Francis Endowment

Vivian Schulte Gardner Endowment

Robert L. Gifford Eagle Scout Endowment

Hilda Mary Millbank Gobar Endowment

Sally Ann Randall Gobar Endowment

Bernard and Esther Goerg Endowment

Carol Collins Gordon Endowment

Stanley and Marjorie Gregory Endowment

Barbara Ondrasik Groce Endowment

Gordon and Llura Gund Endowment

Shirley and Donald Hall Endowment

Homer and Cora Halvorson Memorial Endowment

Edna M. Hampton Memorial Endowment

Arthur J. Hanson Endowment

Clair R. Hare Endowment

Ruth Haroldson Violin Endowment

William Randolph Hearst Foundation Endowment

Dorothy C. Heddens Memorial Endowment

Dee Louise Hochstetler Memorial Endowment

Howard L. and Alice B. Hockett Endowment

Lawrence B. and Sylvia A. Hoefer Endowment

Shirley M. Hole Endowment

William H. Hornaday Endowment

Bailey Howard Endowment

Wendell Milo Hunt Memorial Endowment

James Irvine Foundation Endowment

Lois E. James Educational Endowment

James W. Jones Endowment

Laura Jones Endowment

Lynn R. and Katherine Balden Juday Endowment

Donna Lee Kendall Endowment

William H. and Irene Savage King Endowment

Paul D. Kirk Memorial Endowment

William Kountz Endowment

Lancer Society Endowment

Joseph and Sybil H. Landon Endowment

Paul A. and Frances K. Lewis Endowment

Jay R. and Elizabeth T. Livingston Endowment

Margaretha Lohmann Piano Endowment

Margaretha Lohmann Talent Endowment

James R. Long and John M. Gates Memorial Endowment

Albert Madden Endowment

Markham Endowment

Charles K. Marlatt Memorial Music Endowment

George H. Mayr/Martin Ortiz Endowment

Harry Maxwell McPherson and Jessamyn West McPherson Endowment

Milhous-Marshburn Endowment

Mary McGraw Miller Music Endowment

Beulah Bartlett and Blythe Monroe Endowment

Francis and Elise Morris Endowment

Dr. Nathan and Jessie Movich Endowment

John and Elsie Murfett Endowment

Delphi Murphy Memorial Endowment

Wallace “Chief” Newman Endowment

Dr. W. Roy and Alice Newsom Endowment

Dr. W. Roy Newsom Endowment for Chemistry

John Hill Nichols Endowment

Sinara Stull O’Donnell Memorial Endowment

Martin Ortiz Endowment

Lee and Erika Owens Endowment

Palmer Society Alumni Endowment

Shirley M. Parcher Scholarship

Edward M. Paterson Memorial

Dr. Gerald Patton Memorial Endowment

Perry Memorial Endowment

Sissel and Richard Pomboy Endowment

Edwin and Margaret Larson Pressey Endowment

Marcus Quarles Endowment

Audrey Richardson Memorial Violin Endowment

John B. Robbins ‘51 Endowment

Henry Rosene and Robert and Alieze Rosene Endowment

Paul K. and Nina Schroeder Memorial Endowment

Lela Layne Semans Endowment

Marie Quinzel Sewell Endowment

Margaret Merrill Shannon Endowment

Robin Hill Sinatra Memorial Endowment

Vincent Sinatra Memorial Endowment

Delphine P. Smith Endowment

Elden and Barbara Smith Endowment

Nora and Woody Smith Endowment

Walter H. and Helen J. Spicer Endowment

John Stauffer Science Fellows Endowment

John Stauffer Trust Science Endowment

Alfred J. Stevens Memorial Endowment

Martin A. and Mildred L. Stewart Endowment

Bobbie Stoll Journalism Endowment

Emma Strain Endowment

Roy Q. and Lisle M. Strain Endowment

Amos and Matilda Hadley Stuart Endowment

Charles E. Sydnor-William V. Marshburn Endowment

Talbott Family Mathematics and Computer Science Endowment

George K. Tenopir Endowment

Lorraine Thompson Endowment

Raymond C. Thompson Endowment

Gary Towell Endowment

Helen Ulitin Endowment

Frances E. Van Riper Endowment

May Vertrees Endowment

George E. and Maye J. Wanberg Endowment

Bonnie Bell Wardman Endowment

Whittier College Friends of Music Endowment

Whittier College Veterans Endowment

David E. Wicker Endowment

Dwight L. and Mary A. Williams Endowment

Neal, Devon and Ian Williams Memorial Endowment

Ed J. and Ruth Wudell Endowment

Mary E. Wyatt Memorial Endowment

YMCA Daniel Luther Endowment

Annual Scholarships

Ahmanson Foundation Scholarship

Assistance League of Whittier Scholarship

Atlenian Society Alumni Scholarship

Christian Leadership Merit Scholarship

Nola Lee Cole Trust Scholarship

Los Angeles Philanthropic Foundation Scholarship

Norma L. Murdy Scholarship

Richard M. Nixon Scholarship (Whittier Republican Women)

James R. Parks Fellowship

James R. Parks Prize

Ann Peppers Foundation Scholarship

President’s Council Annual Scholarships

Rose Hills Foundation Science and Engineering Scholarship

William A. and Rosamond Laird Smith Trust Fund Scholarship

TELACU Matching Scholarship

Trustee Circle Annual Scholarships

Student Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Financial Aid

Whittier College subscribes to the professional standards of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and urges students to know their rights and responsibilities.

Student Rights. Whittier College students have the right to know the following: which financial aid programs are available; application deadlines for each of the programs available; how financial aid will be distributed, how distribution decisions are made, and the bases for these decisions; how financial need was determined, including how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses were considered in the budget; how much of the financial need has been met, as determined by the Office of Student Financing; what resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, and personal assets) were considered in the calculation of the need; what portion of the financial aid received must be repaid and what portion is grant aid (if a loan is awarded, students have the right to know the interest rate, the total amount to be repaid, repayment procedures, the date when repayment begins and the length of the repayment period); how the school determines whether students are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if they are not; and an explanation of each program in the student aid award package.

Student Responsibilities. Whittier College students must complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time to the correct location; provide correct information (in most cases, misreporting information on financial aid applications is a violation of the law and may be considered a criminal offense); return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Office of Student Financing or the agencies to which applications were submitted (students are responsible for reading and understanding all forms they are asked to sign and for keeping copies of each); accept responsibility for all signed agreements; perform the work agreed upon in a work-study award; be aware of and comply with the deadlines for aid application or reapplication; know and comply with Whittier College’s refund procedures; maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the policies and standards of the College; notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing of any change in the circumstances reported on the student financing application upon which aid is based or if any additional awards from an outside source will be received; and notify the lender of changes in name, permanent mailing address, and school status, if a loan was received as part of the award package.

Veteran Benefits

Whittier College is approved to train veterans under Title 38, Chapter 36, U.S. Code Sections 3671(a) and 3672(a). Eligible individuals must submit copies of their honorable discharge, VA eligibility, and official transcripts from all previously attended educational institutions. Please see the VA School Certifying Official in the Registrar’s Office for further information.

Expenses

Tuition, fees, and room and board charges are set in the spring for the following academic year. A Schedule of Charges may be obtained directly from the Business Office or the Office of Student Financing. Tuition, room, and board fees for the January Interim are included in the fall charges. If, however, a student is enrolled for only the spring semester, and not the fall, tuition charges for January Interim will be assessed at the per-credit-hour fee and room and board on a pro-rated schedule.

Deferred Payment. For students and their parents who desire to budget for the tuition, fees, room, and board charges on an installment basis, the College has engaged the services of independent firms to handle monthly billing and collection. Further information may be obtained from the Office of Student Financing.

Refunds. The registration deposit of $500 (or $2,000 for new international students) is not refundable. All housing refunds, including the $200 room reservation deposit are made under the conditions stated in the Residential Living License Agreement. The deposit is not refundable if the application for housing is canceled prior to occupancy. Meal plan fees are refundable upon approval from the Dean of Students on a per case basis. No refund or credit is made for missed meals. Meal tickets are not transferable, and a fine is imposed for unauthorized use. A fee is charged for the replacement or exchange of a meal ticket or identification card. The Business Office will make January Interim meal adjustments 30 days prior to the session for students with approved absences. There is no refund for room or tuition if absent for the January Interim.

Cancellation of Charges and Federal Title IV Refund Policy. Since Whittier College makes faculty engagements and other commitments for the entire year, the following tuition cancellation schedule has been established so that students share the cost when it is necessary for them to drop a course or withdraw from the College. These commitments are not subject to change, even though the number of students may vary. For this reason, no deviations from the tuition cancellation schedule will be made. This policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate students who withdraw or take a leave of absence, whether or not they have federal Title IV financial aid.

Withdrawal or Leave of Absence Process. Students who plan to withdraw or take a leave of absence from Whittier College must contact the Dean of Students office immediately. A student is not considered on leave or to have officially withdrawn from the College until the student submits a completed and signed Withdraw or Leave of Absence Form to the Dean of Students office. If the Withdraw or Leave of Absence Form is not submitted on a business day, the form will not be processed until the next business day. This date will also be used to calculate tuition cancellations whenever applicable.

Students who fail to notify the Dean of Students office of their withdrawal or leave of absence will not qualify for tuition cancellation of any kind. Upon approval from the Dean of Students, notification of the withdrawal will be forwarded to the Student Financing Office, the Business Office and the Registrar to assure timely adjustments to student accounts.

Cancellation of Institutional Charges. Based on the date of the withdrawal or leave of absence from the College, a student may receive a pro-rated cancellation of that semester’s direct costs for tuition, room and board. Please see the Living License Agreement, generated by the Office of Residential Life, for the schedule of room and board fees and withdraw dates. Indirect costs such as fees, insurance and book purchases will not be subject to peroration or refund.

Tuition Cancellation Schedule

For Summer Sessions, tuition cancellation policy will be applied based on the same schedule. However, the number of weeks in the semester is replaced by the number of days in the session. For example, week 1 will be replaced by first day of class, week 2 is equivalent to second day of class, week 3 equals third day of class etc.

If a student is suspended, dismissed, expelled or asked to leave the College for any reason the student is not eligible for tuition, room, board, insurance, or fees cancellation.

Return of Title IV Funding - Financial Aid. When a student withdraws or takes a leave of absence from the College, his or her federal financial aid must be returned to the government. The date of withdrawal or leave of absence Whittier College uses for Return of Title IV Funds shall be the date the student submits a completed and signed Withdraw or Leave of Absence Form to the Dean of Students office. The Office of Student Financing (OSF) will apply federal, state and institutional policy to determine the amount of funding - if any - that must be returned to the Department of Education, as well as any entity of student or parent aid assistance programs.

Title IV Funds include the following programs:

• Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
• Stafford Loans
• Perkins Loans
• Parent/PLUS Loans

When calculating the return of federal aid, Whittier College uses the Department of Education’s formula and software to arrive at the amount that must be returned upon a student’s withdrawal or leave of absence. A copy of this calculation worksheet will be included in the student’s file and can be forwarded to the student upon request. The percentage of Title IV assistance earned will be equal to the percentage of the semester completed by the student, when said percentage is less than 60%. If a student withdraws after the completion of 60% of the semester, the percentage of aid earned during this time will be 100%. For more information, please log on to www.ed.gov and search “Return of Title IV.”

Federal Work Study funds are excluded from the return of Title IV process. However, upon notification of withdrawal a student will forfeit his or her remaining Work Study allocation because these funds are paid when earned.

Title IV Funding is returned in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
2. Subsidized Stafford Loans
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Parent/Plus Loans
5. Pell Grant
6. SEOG (supplemental educational opportunity grant)
7. Other Title IV funds

Return of Institutional Aid. When a student withdraws or takes a leave of absence from the College, financial aid given by the College is also returned to its original source. Institutional aid consists of restricted and unrestricted scholarships, Whittier Grants, endowments and also Whittier Loans. The refund or cancellation of institutional financial aid shall follow the pro-rata policy of the “Cancellation of Institutional Charges.” The date of withdrawal or leave of absence Whittier College uses for the return of institutional aid shall be the date the student submits a completed and signed Withdraw or Leave of Absence Form to the Dean of Students office.

Notification to Students. Students will be notified of all changes to their account via student billing statements. Please note that withdrawing from Whittier College, regardless of circumstance, does not release students from financial obligations.

College Financial Obligation Policy. The College reserves the right to credit wages earned by students employed by the College or refundable deposits against unpaid accounts. Student grades or transcripts will not be issued, nor degrees conferred until after all financial obligations to the College have been satisfied.

The Whittier College Tuition Payment Agreement must be completed and signed at the beginning of each academic year and submitted to the Business Office along with the tuition payment. The tuition account balance must be paid prior to the beginning of each semester, by the published due date. Failure to do so has serious consequences, which may include on or more of the following: cancellation of meal plan; eviction from residence hall; revocation of financial aid awards; or disenrollment from the College. A Business Office Hold will be placed on tuition accounts with an outstanding balance, and the student will not be eligible to register for housing or classes for the upcoming semester.