Financial Aid Information
Our dedication to college access ensures that your financial circumstances don’t dictate your academic possibilities
Visit the Office of Financial Aid
We understand that the path to higher education is as unique as the individual embarking on it. That’s why we meet 100% of students’ demonstrated need.
Met through a variety of federal, state, and institutional financial aid sources.
Office of Financial AidAverage Financial Aid Package
Our average financial aid package stands at $44,406. This significant investment in your education is an acknowledgment of your potential and of our faith in your capacity to contribute meaningfully to our community and the broader world. With 42% of our Sagehens receiving financial aid assistance, we cultivate a diverse and inclusive community where barriers to education are lowered.
We rank as the #12 Lowest Student Debt liberal arts college nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2018) – a conscious effort to ensure that your academic pursuits lead to personal growth, not financial burden. This effort is testament to our belief in sustainable investment in our students’ futures, reflecting our focus on long-term community well-being.
Types of Need-Based Aid
- Federal, State and Pitzer Grants: free funds; no repayment required
- Federal Loan Programs: funds you borrow now and repay later
- Federal Work-Study: funds you earn through on-campus employment
Financial Aid Deadlines
- Early Decision 1: November 15
- Early Decision 2: January 5
- Regular Decision: January 5
- Fall Transfer: April 1
- New Resources: April 1
- Spring Transfer: October 10
How to Apply
Complete the following steps to apply for financial aid:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete the CSS Profile to be considered for Pitzer-funded need-based scholarships
- Upload copies of 2022 tax documents to IDOC to verify your income information
Learn More
For more information and resources, visit our Office of Financial Aid.
Our goal is to ensure that financial circumstances never limit academic possibilities, and we continue to seek new ways to make a transformative Pitzer education accessible to all. We are excited to share that, starting in Fall 2025, the Pitzer Opportunity Grant (POG) will provide significant support to help students afford a Pitzer education:
California Residents
Pitzer College will cover 100% of tuition for students with an annual household income and family assets of $120,000 or less, or who qualify for a Cal Grant.
Out-of-State Residents
Pitzer College will cover 100% of tuition for students with an annual household income and family assets of $120,000 or less.
Learn More
Pitzer Opportunity GrantTrustee Community Scholarship
A renewable $5,000 per year scholarship; all first-year students who apply are considered.
Academic Achievement Scholarship
A one-time $2,000 scholarship; all first-year students who apply are considered.
Learn More
For more information about scholarship opportunities, visit our Office of Financial Aid.
International applicants interested in need-based financial aid only need to complete our online Pitzer International Financial Aid Application (PIFAA) form after submitting their Common Application to Pitzer. Do NOT complete the CSS Profile or FAFSA.
DACA/Undocumented Applicants
DACA and Undocumented Applicants interested in financial aid will fill out the CSS Profile instead of the FAFSA. If you live in California then you will also complete the California Dream Act application. The financial aid office will also need copies of both the student's and parent's tax documents.
Undocumented Student Scholarship
A four-year scholarship awarded to students who attend high school in the U.S., are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., have achieved a 3.7 GPA or above in a challenging curriculum, and embody at least one of Pitzer’s Core Values.
Pitzer participates in the Tuition Exchange (TE) program, offering scholarship funds to the dependents of eligible faculty and staff at member schools worldwide. These scholarships are competitive, with only two recipients selected each year.
For the 2024-25 academic year, the TE scholarship was $42,000. This amount is set annually by Tuition Exchange and may increase each year. For more details, please visit the TE website.
Eligibility
- Must be the dependent of an eligible parent from a TE participating school.
- Must be an entering student (first-year or transfer). TE is not available to continuing students who were not awarded TE upon admission.
- Must submit the TE application by the Pitzer's application deadlines noted below. Late applications will not be considered.
- Must be seeking their first bachelor's degree.
How to Apply
Eligible students need to apply for admission to Pitzer, complete the TE application process, and apply for financial aid (if applicable) by our admission application deadlines:
- Early Decision 1: November 15
- Early Decision 2: January 6
- Regular Decision: January 6
- Fall Transfers/New Resources: April 1
- Spring Transfers: October 1
Tuition exchange is limited, thus, all families seeking assistance are encouraged to apply for need-based financial aid. Use our Net Price Calculator and MyinTuition tools to help estimate financial aid eligibility.
For questions about the TE application process, contact the TE representative at your parent's home institution. Additional information is also available on the TE website or on our Financial Aid Grants & Scholarships Page.