Pitzer Opportunity Grant
Pitzer College's commitment to providing 100% tuition coverage for eligible students and their families.
Explore Your Financial Aid Options
At Pitzer College, we are committed to expanding access and affordability for low- and middle-income students and their families.
100%
Tuition coverage for eligible students
About the Grant
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.
Many students who qualify for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant may also receive substantial support for room and board costs through additional grant aid. Pitzer's commitment to meeting 100% of each student's demonstrated financial need—factoring in the total cost of attendance—means that, for many students, attending Pitzer can be as affordable as attending state colleges and universities!
We encourage all prospective students seeking financial aid to explore our MyinTuition tool and Net Cost Calculator on our website. These resources offer valuable estimates of need-based aid eligibility and potential financial aid packages, helping students gain insights into their financial future at Pitzer even before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I’m a California resident, how can I secure a Pitzer Opportunity Grant (POG)?
To secure a Pitzer Opportunity Grant, you must be admitted to Pitzer College as a first-time, full-time undergraduate living in the United States and apply for financial aid by completing all of the necessary forms and meeting the financial aid deadlines. There is no separate application for the grant; it is just your financial aid application. If you qualify for the POG, your tuition will be fully covered by a combination of a Pitzer Opportunity Grant and your Cal Grant. Housing and food expenses will also be considered and may be funded with a combination of Pitzer scholarships, federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. - Does the grant apply to all four years at Pitzer?
Yes, students who reapply for aid, continue to qualify for a Cal Grant, and maintain consecutive enrollment at Pitzer College will receive funding for all four years. For out-of-state residents, students and families who reapply for aid and continue to meet the annual household income and asset criteria will receive funding for all four years. Students must remain enrolled full-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and be first-time, full-time undergraduate students. If you leave the college and return later, you will no longer be eligible for this grant. College funding beyond the standard four years requires a reevaluation of financial aid eligibility. - Does the grant also cover housing and food expenses?
No, the Pitzer Opportunity Grant covers 100% of tuition costs only, which are separate from housing and food expenses. However, many students who qualify for a POG may also have housing and food covered by additional financial aid. This is due to Pitzer’s commitment to meeting 100% of each student's demonstrated financial need, which considers the full cost of attendance, including housing and food, in the financial aid process. - Are there scenarios where a student may qualify for the grant but not receive it?
There’s a small chance that students with substantial financial resources—such as family business assets, additional contributions from a non-custodial parent, limitations based on the FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI), or students receiving other tuition benefits such as remission or exchange—may not qualify for full tuition coverage. Pitzer conducts a thorough review of each family’s financial situation before finalizing a student’s financial aid offer. - What are the eligibility requirements for a Cal Grant?
All Cal Grant students must meet general eligibility requirements, meet the yearly income and asset requirements set by CSAC, as well as specific GPA requirements. Visit CSAC’s website for specific details on each program.
For additional details and the latest information, review the Cal Grant FAQs. - Are undocumented/DACA students eligible for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant?
No. However, Pitzer College offers a four-year scholarship 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 College is committed to fully meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted undocumented and DACA students. - Do I need to apply for the Cal Grant each year?
Yes, students must reapply annually using the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by Pitzer’s financial aid deadline and meet all program eligibility requirements. Grant assistance from Pitzer may not replace Cal Grant funds that are lost due to a student’s failure to complete the state application or Pitzer’s annual financial aid requirements. - Can I still be considered for merit scholarships?
Yes, qualifying for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant does not disqualify you from consideration for merit scholarships. Any merit scholarships awarded will be included in your overall financial aid offer. - What if I don’t meet any of the criteria for this grant?
Pitzer College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students. Even if you don’t meet the criteria for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant, you may still qualify for financial aid to help cover the cost of a Pitzer education. If you are seeking financial aid, submit the required application and supplemental documents by Pitzer’s deadline to be considered for need-based financial aid.
- I’m an out-of-state resident, how can I secure a Pitzer Opportunity Grant (POG)?
To secure a Pitzer Opportunity Grant, you must be admitted to Pitzer College as a first-time, full-time undergraduate living in the United States and apply for financial aid by completing all necessary forms and meeting the financial aid deadlines. There is no separate application for the grant; it is just your financial aid application. If you qualify for the POG, your tuition will be fully covered with a Pitzer grant. Housing and food expenses will also be considered and may be funded with a combination of Pitzer scholarship, federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. - I'm an international student and non-U.S. citizen. Can I qualify for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant?
No, the Pitzer Opportunity Grant is only available to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens living in the United States who qualify for federal financial aid. However, Pitzer is committed to meeting 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need for all admitted international students. 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. - Does the grant apply to all four years at Pitzer?
Yes, students who reapply for aid, continue to qualify for a Cal Grant, and maintain consecutive enrollment at Pitzer College will receive funding for all four years. For out-of-state residents, students and families who reapply for aid and continue to meet the annual household income and asset criteria will receive funding for all four years. Students must remain enrolled full-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and be first-time, full-time undergraduate students. If you leave the college and return later, you will no longer be eligible for this grant. College funding beyond the standard four years requires a reevaluation of financial aid eligibility. - Does the grant also cover housing and food expenses?
No, the Pitzer Opportunity Grant covers 100% of tuition costs only, which are separate from housing and food expenses. However, many students who qualify for a POG may also have housing and food covered by additional financial aid. This is due to Pitzer’s commitment to meeting 100% of each student's demonstrated financial need, which considers the full cost of attendance, including housing and food, in the financial aid process. - Are there scenarios where a student may qualify for the grant but not receive it?
There’s a small chance that students with substantial financial resources—such as family business assets, additional contributions from a non-custodial parent, limitations based on the FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI), or students receiving other tuition benefits such as remission or exchange—may not qualify for full tuition coverage. Pitzer conducts a thorough review of each family’s financial situation before finalizing a student’s financial aid offer. - Are undocumented/DACA students eligible for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant?
No. However, Pitzer College offers a four-year scholarship 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 College is committed to fully meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted undocumented and DACA students. - Can I still be considered for merit scholarships?
Yes, qualifying for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant does not disqualify you from consideration for merit scholarships. Any merit scholarships awarded will be included in your overall financial aid offer. - What if I don’t meet any of the criteria for this grant?
Pitzer College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students. Even if you don’t meet the criteria for the Pitzer Opportunity Grant, you may still qualify for financial aid to help cover the cost of a Pitzer education. If you are seeking financial aid, submit the required application and supplemental documents by Pitzer’s deadline to be considered for need-based financial aid.