What you pay and how you pay depends on how and how long you student abroad. All students who are accepted to a study abroad program through our office, will receive the $2,000 GPS Scholarship for their trip. Beyond that, how you pay and what you pay depends on a number of factors: do you want a faculty-led trip (we hope so!)? Are you interested in Poet Preferred Program (an exchange program)? Or do you want to choose to work through an affiliate program like CIEE, AIFS, IES or others?
Below is a summary of the different types of programs and how they work. Please come see us to discuss the many factors you should consider when making an informed decision about study abroad.
For all study abroad, students must apply and be accepted through our office, and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. If a Whittier College student pursues study abroad independent of the Office of International Programs, the student will not be able to apply any of his/her Whittier merit/grant aid. The independent applicant should inquire with the program provider regarding the use of federal and/or state aid.
Whittier's Global Poet Scholarship Fund is designed to increase student access to study abroad opportunities and enhance students’ global education. The GPS program is a commitment to award $2,000 to every student who studies abroad through the Whittier College Office of International Programs.
Full-time first-year or transfer students will be eligible to allocate their $2,000 Global Poet Scholarship funding towards Whittier College-approved study abroad travel that occurs after their third semester at Whittier College. Access to the award is automatic for students in good academic and disciplinary standing, though funding is reserved for those accepted through the Office of International Programs to participate in credit-bearing academic experiences abroad.
A $50,000 grant from the Pitts Family Foundation, aimed at funding opportunities for semester or short-term study abroad, will now offer financial assistance to qualifying Whittier College students who would like to participate in an international study experience during their undergraduate years. Students with a demonstrated commitment to or engagement with African American communities, history, or cultural issues are especially encouraged to apply.
The generous gift was initiated by siblings Kathleen Pitts Bias ’65, Nat Pitts ’69, and Frances Pitts Smith ’60, president of the foundation board—who was herself among the first Whittier College students to study abroad in Copenhagen on the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) program. Students selected to receive a Pitts Family Foundation Travel Award will be able to apply funds toward either facultyled JanTerm or MayTerm courses, or for academic semester or yearlong programs.
To date, eight awardees have completed study in five continents, experiencing diverse cultures in Brazil, Cuba, South Africa, Spain, and Australia. For more information, please contact:
Jason A. Carbine Professor Director and DSO, Office of International Programs Platner Hall 205 562.464.4582 jcarbine@whittier.edu
Students participating in any of the study abroad programs should monitor their financial aid eligibility and complete all federal and state applications and paperwork.
Please be aware that financial aid policies related to study abroad are subject to change.
