How to Apply

FALL 2008

 

Although the deadlines stated here have passed, we encourage you to still apply for financial aid.

STEP ONE: Complete the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Whittier College requires any student who wishes to receive federal, state and institutional funded financial aid to complete the FAFSA.

The FAFSA must be completed by March 2, 2008 for priority funding. If your or your parents' tax returns will not be completed by the March 2nd deadline, you can provide estimated student and parent income and tax information on the FAFSA in order to meet the priority funding deadline. There are two ways to complete the FAFSA either online or paper form.

  • Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Applying online is safe and secure and will provide you with online edits to assist you in the completion of your FAFSA. Both you and at least one parent must apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to sign the FAFSA electronically. Whittier College school code is #001342.

OR

  • You can obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) toll-free at 800-4-FED-AID. If you complete a paper FAFSA, make sure your application is error-free, has your signature and the signature of at least one parent and is received by the federal processor prior to the March 2, 2008 priority funding deadline. Whittier College school code is #001342.

STEP TWO: Complete the 2008-2009 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. If you are interested in receiving Whittier College funded financial aid, you must complete the CSS PROFILE. The CSS PROFILE must be completed prior to February 15, 2008 priority funding deadline. If your or your parents' tax returns will not be completed by February 15th deadline, you can provide estimated income and tax information on the CSS PROFILE in order to meet the priority funding February 15th deadline. Whittier College school code is #4952.

The CSS PROFILE is a two-part process:

  1. Register to receive a customized application at www.collegeboard.org/profile.
  2. After you register, you can complete your customized PROFILE application online.

STEP THREE: California Resident should complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.
It is projected that the 2008-2009 Cal Grant A Award will be $9,708. We strongly encourage all California residents to complete the GPA Verification Form. Many high schools and colleges will automatically file your GPA Verification Form with the California Student Aid Commission. Please confirm the GPA Verification filing process at your school. If you are required to initiate this process, the GPA Verification Form is available at your high school or can be downloaded from www.calgrants.org. Your counselor must complete the GPA verification portion of this form before sending it to the California Student Aid Commission. Your GPA Verification Form must be completed and postmarked by March 2, 2008.

STEP FOUR: Continue Communication with the Financial Aid Office! Your initial financial aid award letter will be mailed to you; however once you have committed to attend Whittier College, all future correspondence from the Office of Financial Aid will be sent to your my.whittier.edu account.To access anything related to financial aid, please click on My Info.

Please make sure to check your my.whittier.edu account frequently!