Each year, Whittier College awards a number of scholarships in recognition of academic performance, leadership in their local or school community, talent in the visual and performing arts, or ties to Whittier.
John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarship
Admitted first-year and transfer students are automatically considered for a John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded based on the academic record and overall strength of the applicant to the College. Academic performance is the primary driver for this scholarship. For admitted first-year students the Whittier Admission GPA (9th - 11th grade weighted GPA) is considered. For admitted transfer students the cumulative college GPA is considered.
John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarships will range from $20,000 to $36,000 per year and are annually renewable as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment (at least 12 units per semester) and good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA). The amount of the John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarship a recipient is awarded at the time of Admission will remain the same throughout your attendance at Whittier College.
Gateway Scholarship
Whittier College is proud to invest in the educational and professional futures of Southeast Los Angeles County's youth. Beginning with the incoming class of 2023, Whittier will award all high school seniors enrolled in an accredited public, charter, or private school within the Gateway Cities region a $5,000 scholarship.
Leadership Scholarship
Whittier College’s Leadership Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate the potential to be leaders in our campus community. Each year, the Office of Admission selects approximately 20 newly admitted students to receive the scholarship, which awards up to $5,000 and is renewable every year as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment (at least 12 units per semester), good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA), and meets annual leadership involvement requirement. Students must complete the Leadership Scholarship application process to be considered. This scholarship is stackable with the Talent Scholarship.
Talent Scholarships
Whittier College offers Talent Scholarships for newly admitted students interested in participating in our Art, Music, or Theater departments. Talent Scholarships are awarded based on the strength of an applicant’s audition or portfolio. This is an excellent opportunity for students looking to continue their participation in the fine or performing arts regardless of their intended major. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 - $12,000 per year. This scholarship is stackable with the Leadership Scholarship. Students may apply for Talent Scholarships in more than one area, but may only accept one if more than one scholarship is offered. International students are not eligible to receive Talent Scholarships.
Whittier College Alumni Scholarship
Admitted first-year and transfer students who are the children of a Whittier College graduate will be awarded a Whittier College Alumni Scholarship.
The Office of Financial Aid will retrieve your parent's information from your application for admission, and internally verify their graduation from Whittier College prior to awarding the scholarship.
The Whittier College Alumni Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will annually renew as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment (at least 12 units per semester) and good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA).
Broadoaks Scholarship
Graduates of The Broadoaks School who are admitted to Whittier College will be awarded the Broadoaks Scholarship. You can confirm your graduation from The Broadoaks School on your application for admission. The Office of Financial Aid will verify your graduation with The Broadoaks School.
The Broadoaks Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will annually renew as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment (at least 12 units per semester) and good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA).
Endowed Scholarships
Whittier College acknowledges its gratitude to the many benefactors who have contributed scholarship funds to the university. Due to their generous donations, the Office of Financial Aid is privileged to offer numerous leadership, academic merit, and need-based scholarship opportunities to Whittier College students.
Most endowed scholarships are awarded automatically to students by the Office of Financial Aid based on criteria established by the funding donor. Endowed scholarships do not require a separate scholarship application but students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate school year to be eligible to receive an endowment.
Students selected for these scholarships will be notified via a revised financial aid award letter. Students awarded an endowed scholarship from an individual or organization may be required to attend the Annual Salute to Scholarship Luncheon. All recipients of an endowment are required to provide a written thank you to the contributor.
Scholarship Policy
The John Greenleaf Whittier, Leadership, Talent, Alumni, and Broadoaks scholarships are awarded by the Offices of Admission and Financial Aid upon a student’s admission to Whittier College. The amount of the award is determined by the student's entering GPA and/or additional criteria evaluated by the selection committee. These scholarships, and any other institutional aid, may only be applied to the cost of tuition. The scholarships may not be applied toward the cost of room and board or fees.
In situations where the student is awarded additional aid that may only be applied to tuition, such as Cal Grant A, Tuition Remission, Tuition Exchange, outside scholarships, or a Yellow Ribbon benefit, the total of these awards plus Whittier scholarships may not exceed the cost of tuition for any given academic year.
