What amounts are talent scholarships valued at and are they renewable from year to year?
Talent Scholarships can range from $1,000 to $12,000 per year for entering first-year students, or from $1,000 to $6,000 per year for entering transfer students. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years of continuous study. There is no separate application process to renew this scholarship from year to year; as long as you meet the required Talent involvement as stipulated in your application and award letter, it will renew automatically.
Can I receive and accept both a merit scholarship and a talent scholarship?
Absolutely! Your Talent Scholarship will be awarded in addition to your academic merit award.
How will my Talent Scholarship be used?
Your Talent Scholarship will be applied to your financial aid package as a discount on your cost of tuition.
Do I have to major or minor in art, music, or theatre to receive a scholarship?
No. Your intended major is not considered in Talent Scholarship decisions and recipients may choose any major or minor. However, recipients must fulfill minimum participation requirements determined by the respective departments in order to retain their Talent Scholarships, and many Talent Scholarship awardees will opt to at least minor in their Talent areas.
Can I apply and accept Talent Scholarships from multiple departments?
You can apply for Talent Scholarships from multiple departments. However, if offered multiple awards, you can only accept an award from one department and must decline all other offers. To apply for multiple different talent scholarships, simply submit the application once for each Talent area that you are interested in.
Can I apply and accept both a Talent Scholarship and a Leadership Scholarship?
You may apply for and accept both a Talent and Leadership Scholarship if both are offered. These are stackable scholarships.
Are Talent Scholarships available for Photography?
Yes! You may apply for an Art Talent Scholarship.
Athletics, Creative Writing, Dance, or Circus Skills (e.g. Acrobatics, Trapeze Acts, and other stunt-oriented skills)?
Unfortunately, no.
Any other areas?
Contact us at admissionscholarships@whittier.edu to discuss your specific case.
I’m interested in this scholarship, but I haven’t applied to Whittier College. What should I do?
You must be a Whittier College applicant to be eligible for a Talent Scholarship. Visit the First-Year or Transfer Student admission pages for more details about how to apply.
I am having technical difficulties submitting my application; what should I do?
If you are having technical difficulties, we suggest using another device or browser. The application works best on Chrome and is accessible on desktop and mobile. If all else fails, email admissionscholarships@whittier.edu for assistance.
For my instructor recommendation, can I use a pre-existing letter, such as from my Whittier College Common Application?
No. The instructor recommendation form asks specific questions about your talent abilities and potential, so we cannot accept generic letters of recommendation. Your instructor must complete and submit the online Talent Scholarship Instructor Recommendation.
I have already successfully submitted my application, but I need to change something. How do I do so?
Email us at admissionscholarships@whittier.edu for assistance.
I missed the Talent Scholarship application deadline. What should I do?
Talent departments are willing to review late applications from incoming students. Please email us at admissionscholarships@whittier.edu as soon as possible to initiate the process.
Who is eligible for a Talent Scholarship?
Talent Scholarships are available to incoming first-year and transfer students. International students are not eligible to receive Talent Scholarships. Current or returning students should speak to your department head about scholarship opportunities available to them.
If I have questions, whom should I contact?
Please direct all questions and concerns directly to admissionscholarships@whittier.edu.