Abstract: Various embodiments of polymer fibers comprising a high heat polymer and process for making the polymer fibers are provided. In one embodiment, synthetic polymer fibers comprise polyetherimide polymer that is substantially free of foreign particulate matter greater than about 100 microns in size. A process for producing polymer fiber includes melting polymer comprising polyetherimide to a melt temperature that ranges from about 180-500° C. to form a molten polymer; passing the polyetherimide that is substantially free of foreign particulate matter above about 100 microns in size, through a spinneret comprising a plurality of hole openings to produce a fiber bundle; and cooling the fiber bundle with a cooling medium having a temperature that ranges from about 0° C. to about 80° C.