Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.85
Liaison Sarah Williams
Submission Date Feb. 8, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Whitman College
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.66 / 4.00 Brandon Bishop
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Physical Plant
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

All students who apply for admission to Whitman will be considered for need-based scholarships if they submit the FAFSA and the CSS Profile by the stated deadlines. All applicants will also be considered for several merit-based scholarships, as outlined below in the Whitman Achievement-based Scholarships section. Additionally, students may apply specifically for consideration for the Campbell and Higley Music Scholarships or for the President's Scholarships in art or theatre through processes described in the Whitman Achievement-based Scholarships section.

The institution has a wide range of need based financial aid. In total Whitman College allocates around $25,000,000 annually toward scholarships.


A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office provides a number of training for students, faculty, and staff to serve those of diverse backgrounds. Many of these training opportunities are optional.


A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

WISE is an all-expenses-paid, pre-college program for local middle school students who show academic promise and are from first-generation, minority or low-income families. WISE aims to generate interest in pursuing a college education for these students, who stay on campus for three days and two nights, attend classes taught by Whitman professors and take college prep workshops. These students also interact with current students, who are their Resident Assistants and mentors. The program also includes a workshop for parents that offers guidance on financial aid, academic choices in high school and other concerns about preparing for college.

Open House, Fly-in, Visit:
Approximately 85 high school seniors from underrepresented socioeconomic, racial and cultural backgrounds are invited for an expenses-paid visit to Whitman during the fall or spring semester Visit Scholarship Program. Visiting students stay with an overnight host in a residence hall, eat in campus dining halls, visit up to two classes, meet with coaches, faculty, staff and student leaders and interview with an admission officer. The Visit Scholarship Program was created in an effort to increase socioeconomic and multicultural diversity at Whitman College.


A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:

Lomen-Douglas Scholarships

Students whose backgrounds and experiences demonstrate the ability to contribute to increasing socioeconomic and multicultural diversity awareness at Whitman are chosen to receive these scholarships. Lomen-Douglas Scholarships range from $2,000-$47,000 and vary depending on achievement and financial need. Lomen-Douglas Scholarships are renewable for a student’s entire Whitman career.


A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

Our admission officers travel around the U.S., visiting high schools, attending college fairs and other programs. Please be aware that we are adding travel locations throughout the year.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:

n/A


Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

The Physical Plant Non-Traditional Student Scholarship Endowment was established in 1995 to assist students coming to Whitman under special circumstances. Past recipients have been older students who may be married and/or have children. The endowment has grown to more than $208,000 as of this fiscal year, not counting the proceeds from last week’s sale.


A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:

N/A


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

N/A


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
Yes

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
42

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
75

On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
89.30

The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
60

Estimated percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students (0-100):
76

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

* non interest bearing loans do not count parent plus loans


* non interest bearing loans do not count parent plus loans

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.