Whittier College has launched the Poet Pledge, a four-year full-tuition scholarship for admitted seniors from select local high schools who demonstrate financial hardship.
The Poet Pledge goes into effect immediately for all qualified fall 2024 applications.
“Students with the highest need will be the most impacted by the changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the resulting delays,” said Whittier College Interim President Kristine Dillon ’73. “The FAFSA issues are about fair access to higher education. We hope that the Poet Pledge will facilitate access for our talented local brains.”
Whittier, established in 1887, provides a highly customized liberal arts education on a stunning residential campus. The college, a Hispanic-serving institution, ranks among the top ten in the nation for social mobility, as measured by US News & World Report. The report evaluates how successfully liberal arts colleges help economically disadvantaged students graduate and find jobs.
“This initiative reflects our deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of homegrown leaders, thinkers, and innovators who will shape the future,” said Interim Vice President of Enrollment Ken Woods ’84. “At Whittier College, we’re not just educating students; we’re investing in the future of our community and the world beyond.”
Details
To qualify for a four-year full-tuition scholarship, students must meet these criteria:
- Be admitted to Whittier College as a first-time, first-year student
- Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Submit a 2024–25 FAFSA form (Whittier school code: 00134200)
- Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of zero or less
- Qualify for the Cal Grant A
- Be a resident of California and graduate from one of the schools below
- Remain registered as a full-time student in good academic standing (3.0 or above)
Eligible High Schools
- Armenian Mesrobian High School, Pico Rivera
- California High School, Whittier
- El Rancho High School, Pico Rivera
- Frontier High School, Whittier
- La Serna High School, Whittier
- Pioneer High School, Whittier
- Robert Salazar High School, Pico Rivera
- Santa Fe High School, Santa Fe Springs
- Sierra Vista High School, Whittier
- St. Paul High School, Santa Fe Springs
- Whittier Christian High School, La Habra
- Whittier High School, Whittier
- Homeschooled Students living in Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier