Whittier College

Whittier, CA

How often does your office receive applications from undocumented students?: We regularly receive applications from undocumented students.
Are there organized groups or clubs comprised of or advocating for undocumented students in your school?: The Office of Equity and Inclusion offers programming and resources to our first-gen and undocumented students.
Does your school allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers onto campus without a warrant?: Please click the link to read our Poet Student Sanctuary Protections Policy. In essence, should ICE come to campus we will not knowingly or willingly share information on any of our students. We also have a campus alert system in place should ICE come to our campus.
Does the campus police enforce immigration law?: No, it does not.
Does your school share student immigration status with ICE?: No, we do not.
Does your school provide distance-learning options for deported students to complete their degrees?: Currently we do because of distance-learning, however that is not a topic of discussion that has come up when considering special accommodations to this specific group.
Does your school provide confidential legal support to students with immigration law questions and issues?: I don’t know the answer to that question. I don’t believe we do and I’m not sure who would be the best department to ask. There are, however, law offices that specialize in immigration law within walking distance of the college.

Other information: We only accept the California Dream Act Application from CA residents. Out-of-state applicants don’t qualify for need-based aid through Whittier College.

Are undocumented students considered international or domestic?: Undocumented students are considered domestic. As a sanctuary campus, we don’t automatically differentiate between international and undocumented, so some additional requirements may populate in their application portal. All they have to do is email us to let us know their status and we will waive the additional requirements.
Are you need-blind for undocumented students?: We are need-blind for all domestic students, yes.
Are there any restrictions on merit aid for undocumented students at your school?: No, there are no scholarship restrictions for domestic students. All scholarship awards are based on merit and strength of the applicant.
Does your school provide merit aid specially for undocumented students?: We do not provide scholarships specifically or undocumented students.
Is there a special contact point for undocumented students?: All undocumented students are read by our International Admission Counselor, Shim Shimaz. again, as a sanctuary campus, we do not separate international students from undocumented students in our system.
What other piece of advice would you give an undocumented student hoping for admission at your school?: We are a safe space and many of my colleagues and I have worked with both first-gen and undocumented students for several years.

Are undocumented students eligible for need-based aid?: Undocumented CA residents may qualify for the Cal Grant by submitting the California Dream Act Application.
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?: We recommend seeking out outside scholarships for undocumented students or childhood arrivals.
What would be the requirements for such scholarships and what would a student's chances of getting them?: We don’t set the requirements for outside scholarships.
Other financial aid information: We only accept the California Dream Act Application from CA residents. Out-of-state applicants don’t qualify for need-based aid through Whittier College.