Grants & Scholarships
At Pitzer, education is made accessible to everyone through our robust need-based scholarships, designed to reflect a family's financial situation and make the cost of a Pitzer education affordable. These scholarships are recalculated annually based on the information provided on the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and tax documents, ensuring financial support aligns with current needs.
Additionally, a limited number of merit scholarships are available to incoming first-year students. These awards recognize and reward outstanding academic achievements and extracurricular involvement.
Prospective students eager to join the Pitzer community, as well as returning students continuing their educational journey, should apply by the established deadlines to ensure consideration for aid programs.
Pitzer Need-Based Grants & Scholarships
Pitzer offers need-based scholarships to domestic and international students to help make the cost of education more affordable. These scholarships are awarded based on financial need, as determined by the information provided through the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and tax documents. Award amounts vary and are reassessed each year to reflect changes in a family’s financial situation. The goal is to provide financial assistance that helps cover the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and other expenses, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to attend Pitzer, regardless of their economic background.
How Aid Works
Visit How Aid Works for more information on how we calculate need-based aid.
Merit Scholarships
This $5,000 per year renewable scholarship is available to first-year students who meet specific academic qualifications. All first-year applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship—no separate application is needed.
The scholarship is renewable for a maximum of eight academic semesters, provided the student maintains a 2.0 cumulative GPA and is enrolled at least half-time.
Only a limited number of Trustee Community Scholarships are awarded each year to incoming first-year students. The Office of Admission considers students for this scholarship at the time of admission; it is not reassessed or awarded later.
Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is designed to make higher education accessible to U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens.
By completing the FAFSA and meeting general eligibility requirements, you can receive between $740 and $7,395 per year for the 2024-25 academic year. Don't miss out on this opportunity to fund your education.
Learn more by visiting the Federal Pell Grant section on the Federal Student Aid website.
Outside Scholarships & Tuition Benefits
Reporting
Students who receive outside scholarships or tuition benefits are required to report these sources of aid to the Office of Financial Aid. Please complete our online Outside Scholarship Notification form to report your outside scholarships to our office.
Federal regulations require that all outside scholarships or tuition benefits be coordinated and incorporated with your Pitzer financial aid package. Outside scholarships or tuition benefits are not added on top of your current financial aid package and do not replace your parent contribution.
Impact to Aid
To limit the impact of your outside scholarship or tuition benefit to your existing financial aid package, the Office of Financial Aid will first reduce your student summer earnings contribution (if one was assessed), followed by your need-based student loans, followed by your work-study.
If the amount of your outside scholarship or tuition benefit exceeds your summer contribution, need-based loan, and work-study, an adjustment will be made to your Pitzer Scholarship. Before we adjust your Pitzer Scholarship, we may reach out to you to see if you have additional educational expenses that may be covered by your outside scholarship or tuition benefit.