The Whittier College Promise

The Whittier College Promise offers full tuition for qualifying Californians—and on-time graduation guaranteed for all students who opt in, entering Fall 2027.

Some colleges offer hope. Whittier guarantees it.

For First-Year Students

For Transfer Students

The Golden State Guarantee: Full Tuition Covered

Using grants and scholarships, Whittier's Golden State Guarantee will cover four years of full tuition for California first-year students who:

  • Have a Whittier College recalculated GPA of 3.5 or greater
  • Receive a Cal Grant A
  • Have an annual household gross income of $100,000 or less
  • Are Pell eligible

The tuition offer covers all four years of your time at Whittier, as long as you stay eligible for financial aid. This covers tuition only; housing, dining and fees are not included.

How to Apply

There is no separate application. Simply:

  1. Apply to Whittier.
  2. File the FAFSA by the Cal Grant deadline, March 2, 2027.
  3. If you qualify, the Golden State Guarantee will appear in your financial aid offer.
     
Apply to Whittier

Questions? Contact our Financial Aid office at fao@whittier.edu.

What if I don't qualify?

Even if you don't, we're still committed to making a high quality education attainable. Almost every Whittier student receives generous financial aid from the College, with an average out-of-pocket cost of $20,000 per year.

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Student at graduation

 

By signing the Whittier Promise graduation agreement, every full-time, first-year student entering Fall 2027 or later, from any state and at any income level, is guaranteed to finish their degree in four years.

The agreement, which requires full-time enrollment, provides a clear path to graduation, including academic standards and guaranteed individualized advising. The agreement must be signed before the first day of class.

Apply to Whittier
 

Four-Year Guarantee Details

  • Declare a major by the end of your sophomore year and follow the four-year plan you build with your advisor.
  • Take at least 15 units every fall and spring semester, unless you have written approval to take fewer.
  • Stay continuously enrolled every fall and spring semester.
  • Meet with your advisor before you register each semester.
  • Don't drop, withdraw from or fail a course your degree requires.
  • Stay in good academic, financial, and conduct standing.

  • Offer the courses in your plan on a schedule that lets you finish in four years.
  • Give you an advisor who meets with you every semester.
  • Build a Whittier Works plan into your degree: an internship, experiential project or research fellowship.
  • Tell you in writing if you fall off track, and how to get back on.

If you don't graduate in four years, and you met the requirements, Whittier covers tuition for the remaining courses you need. The guarantee covers tuition only, not housing, dining, fees, or books.

Good to Know

  • A semester abroad is welcome; your advisor and the Registrar review in advance how it fits your plan.
  • Changing your major after sophomore year is fine if your advisor confirms in writing that you can still finish on time.
  • Double majors, the 3-2 Engineering Program, and teacher credentialing programs are not covered by the graduation guarantee.

Two-Year Graduation Guarantee

Students at Commencement

 

Every qualifying transfer student who signs a Whittier Promise graduation agreement is guaranteed to finish their degree in 2 years.

The agreement, which requires full-time enrollment, provides a clear path to graduation, including academic standards and guaranteed individualized advising.

Apply to Whittier
 

Two-Year Guarantee Details

California community college students who:

  • Complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) in a major that matches a Whittier major.
  • Transfer at least 60 transferable semester units.
  • Enroll full time at Whittier in Fall 2027 or later.
  • Sign the Two-Year Transfer Guarantee agreement before the first day of class.

About 15 to 20 ADT degrees will qualify at launch, with more to follow. The list of eligible ADT degrees will be posted here soon. 

Have a different ADT? You can still transfer to Whittier, and our transfer counselors will help you plan the fastest path to your degree. Make a virtual appointment to meet with a counselor or email them at transfer@whittier.edu.

  • Declare your major when you are admitted and finish its lower-division prerequisites before you transfer.
  • Follow the two-year plan you build with your advisor.
  • Take at least 15 units every fall and spring semester, unless you have written approval to take fewer.
  • Stay continuously enrolled for four consecutive fall and spring semesters.
  • Meet with your advisor before you register each semester.
  • Don't drop, withdraw from or fail a course your degree requires.

  • Count your ADT coursework toward your Whittier degree, as shown in your two-year plan.
  • Offer the courses in your plan on a schedule that lets you finish in two years.
  • Give you an advisor who meets with you every semester, and access to Whittier Works: our initiative to weave experiential learning, such as internships and research, into your undergraduate experience.

If you don't graduate in two years, and you met the requirements, Whittier covers your tuition for the remaining courses you need. The guarantee covers tuition only, not housing, dining, fees, or books.

Transfers must come to Whittier from a California community college with an Associate Degree for Transfer in a matching major.

The Real-World Benefits of a Whittier Education

Biology class

 

Whittier College offers a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, financial aid from the College for every student, personalized mentoring, and career readiness through the Whittier Works initiative.

A Rare Value

Whittier College is only one of two schools in California ranked* in the top 20 for value and top 30 for social mobility—how well we help lower-income and first-generation students graduate. What sets Whittier apart is access: we are committed to making a high-quality education attainable for as many students as possible.

* US News & World Report Best Colleges 2027, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Learn By Doing

At Whittier, your education will prepare you for your career. Through Whittier Works, students are guided by faculty mentors and learn by doing, through research and internships with partners such as The Aerospace Corporation. Students in the graduation guarantees build a Whittier Works plan into their degree, so they graduate on time and ready for what comes next.

Apply to Whittier

Questions

Do I have to pay back the Whittier Promise tuition offer?
No. It is made up of grants and scholarships, not loans.

Are the graduation guarantees only for low-income families?
No. The graduation guarantees are open to every first-year student and eligible transfer student, at any income level.

I'm a current Whittier student. Am I eligible for the Whittier Promise tuition offer?
The offer begins with students entering in Fall 2027. Current students are not eligible, and their financial aid does not change.

More Questions?

Contact our helpful enrollment staff to learn more about the Whittier Promise tuition offer, guaranteed on-time graduation, and any other questions you have.

admission@whittier.edu
562.907.4283

Virtual appointments are also available.

Next Steps