How Financial Aid Works

Financial aid helps make an Occidental education more affordable. Let’s walk through the key terms and options so you can see how it all comes together.

At Occidental, we’re committed to making your education accessible and affordable. Our financial aid team works one-on-one with families to understand their unique circumstances and provide guidance through every step of the process. No matter your background, we encourage you to apply for aid so we can support your investment in your future.

�� meets 100% of each student’s demonstrated need for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Helpful Terms

A combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study that helps reduce the total cost of attendance.

The full cost of a year at Occidental, including costs paid directly to the College (tuition, fees, on-campus housing, meal plan) as well as estimates for costs paid to other entities (expenses like books, supplies, and transportation to and from home).

A financial aid application administered by the College Board. The CSS Profile is required to be considered for Occidental’s need-based aid.

The College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service, used to securely submit required financial documents like tax returns and W-2s.

The Net Price Calculator and MyinTuition tools provide early estimates of what your Occidental costs might look like after need-based aid. These are estimates only, not guarantees.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is required to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid.

The difference between the cost of attendance and your calculated family contribution. �� will meet 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students.

An estimate of what your family can reasonably contribute toward your education, determined by information you submit through the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and supporting documents.

Determining Eligibility

Need-based financial aid is based on two primary factors: your annual cost of attendance and your family’s calculated contribution.

Cost of Attendance minus Family Contribution = Financial Need

Your cost of attendance includes direct charges (tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and meal plan) plus standard estimates for indirect expenses (books, supplies, and transportation to and from home). This budget varies depending on whether you live on campus, off campus, or with family.

Your family’s contribution is determined from your FAFSA, CSS Profile, and supporting documents such as tax returns. If your parents are divorced or separated, both the custodial and noncustodial parent must submit the CSS Profile. In rare cases, you may request a waiver for the noncustodial parent requirement.

Factors considered in calculating your contribution include:
Parent income (taxed and untaxed, including business income)
Parent assets (cash, savings, investments, home equity, business assets, etc.)
Number of people in your household
Family size and number of siblings who are also undergraduates in college
Student income and assets

All students are expected to contribute from summer earnings ($2,650 for first-years) and 25% of their assets annually.

Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid at Occidental typically includes a mix of funding from the College, the federal and state governments, and external sources.

Two Occidental students sit on a bench at the top of Fiji Hill above the college campus in Los Angeles

Grants and Scholarships

These are funds you do not need to repay. They are based on financial need or academic merit and are designed to lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Explore Grants & Scholarships >

Students talk with career advisors in the Hameetman Career Center

Work-Study

Work-study provides part-time, on-campus jobs that help you earn money toward your education while gaining valuable skills and experience.

Read Up on Work-Study >

A student sits on the steps outside of the library on the Occidental campus in Los Angeles.

Loans

Student and parent loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid. Understanding your loan terms is key to borrowing responsibly.

Learn About Student Loans >

How to Apply for Financial Aid

We encourage all prospective students to apply for financial aid, regardless of your financial background. Submitting your financial aid applications by the deadline ensures you're considered for the full range of need-based aid available at Occidental.

Visit our step-by-step checklist to learn which forms to complete, when to submit them, and how to track your application once it’s underway.

How to Apply for Aid

International citizens follow different requirements for financial aid consideration.

Your Financial Aid Offer

The Office of Financial Aid coordinates all aid types—merit, need-based, and non-need-based—and presents them in your financial aid offer. Admitted students receive both a paper version in their admission packet and electronic version on the application portal, while current students access their offer through Occidental’s Financial Aid Portal.

FIRST-YEAR APPLICANTS: Use our quick cost tools to get an estimate of the need-based financial aid you may qualify for at Occidental.

Contact Financial Aid

Office of Financial Aid

AGC Room 119
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1600 Campus Road F-35
Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314

Phone: (323) 259-2548

finaid@oxy.edu

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