Does your school allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers onto campus without a warrant?: No college staff member will provide any information on students or employees to ICE or other outside agents unless we are absolutely required to do so by a legal order, such as a signed judicial warrant. If someone comes to campus seeking a student or employee, we would not provide them any information or access to non-public spaces unless they have a signed judicial warrant from a judge that requires us to do so.
More information on Supporting Our Global Community: https://www.whitman.edu/president/april-29-2025-supporting-our-global-community
Does the campus police enforce immigration law?: No. Under federal law, campus security and police are not required to assist ICE with any immigration enforcement action except where ICE presents a lawfully issued judicial warrant In addition, the Police in Washington state do not make arrests based on immigration status.
Does your school share student immigration status with ICE?: Campus employees who receive a request from an ICE officer for any information are directed to immediately contact Campus Security. This includes requests for information maintained in a student or employee’s file, as well as information that may appear in a student’s individual coursework.
Does your school provide confidential legal support to students with immigration law questions and issues?: If a student or employee has their visa revoked or SEVIS status terminated, or is approached or detained by ICE or other federal agents, the College will immediately connect the student or employee with expert legal assistance to help them and can provide some financial assistance and other support.
The College also brings expert immigration attorneys to campus throughout the year, to work with students and employees and provide information and guidance, and will continue to provide resources as needs evolve.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
If need-based aid is not available, is there a feasible path undocumented students can take to pay for their education with stackable merit scholarships, loans and/or grants from your school?: While need-based aid is available to a few undocumented students, Whitman College highly encourages these students to pursue other outside scholarships to contribute to their financial aid award.
Other financial aid information: Students from Washington State must also submit the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), which is used to determine eligibility for Whitman need-based aid as well as Washington state aid, such as the Washington College Grant or College Bound Scholarship.
What would be the requirements for such scholarships and what would a student's chances of getting them?: Undocumented students can apply for Whitman's need-based aid by submitting the WUSFAA (Whitman's Undocumented Student Financial Aid Application). It is accessible through their applicant portal after submitting an application.
Are undocumented students eligible for need-based aid?: Whitman meets full need for admitted DACA and undocumented students using private grant money from the college, ensuring the full cost of attending Whitman will be covered through a combination of the family contribution and funding from the college. The full cost of attendance includes tuition, food and housing, books, incidentals, and health insurance.
Admissions Information
Does your school provide merit aid specially for undocumented students?: All applicants, regardless of citizenship status, are automatically considered for a merit scholarship just by submitting a complete application.
Are you need-blind for undocumented students?: No.
Are undocumented students considered international or domestic?: Domestic.
Are there any restrictions on merit aid for undocumented students at your school?: No.
Is there a special contact point for undocumented students?: Office of Admission contact for undocumented students: Makaya Resner, Assistant Director of Admission, resnerm@whitman.
Financial Aid Office contact: finaid@whitman.edu