Whittier College

Using State Grants at Whittier

If you reside in California and are considering Whittier, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.

Whittier College Financial Aid

Students who are applying for financial aid at Whittier College need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.

The FAFSA code for Whittier College is 001342.

If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

Pell Grants at Whittier College

31% of students at Whittier College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Whittier College.

You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

Outside Scholarships

Whittier students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for college students
• Scholarship database

1165 is the median SAT score and 26 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Whittier. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

Does Whittier College charge an application fee?

Good news! Whittier College does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend Whittier College, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.

Is Whittier test-optional?

Whittier College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Whittier College?

Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Whittier College receive between a 24 and a 30 on their ACT, or a 1090 and a 1295 on their SAT.

What is the application deadline at Whittier?

Students must apply by March 15 to enroll at Whittier during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Whittier, remember that the deadline is November 15.

Should I apply Early Action at Whittier?

Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.

Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.

What is the graduation rate at Whittier College?

66% of students who start at Whittier College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 8% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

How much do graduates of Whittier College go on to earn?

10 years after starting school at Whittier College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $59,492. This is $9,101 more than the national median.

Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

How much do students at Whittier take out in loans?

Graduates of Whittier have to take out a median of $24,937 in federal student loans. This is $11,437 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.