Need-based Application Process
Students seeking need-based financial aid are required to file all financial aid applications on time. Deadlines also pertain to Occidental students who are returning after having left the College. This application process allows the student to be considered for Occidental scholarships, Federal Grants, Cal Grants, work programs, Federal Direct Student Loans, and other Occidental loans. Please visit the financial aid website for up-to-date deadlines and requirements (www.oxy.edu/financial-aid/deadlines).
All students must follow the instructions outlined to apply for need-based scholarships, grants, loans, and work awards. Entering frosh who apply for admission to the College are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. The College does not require a student to apply for financial aid to be considered for merit-based scholarships.
All students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list Occidental College (code #001249). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
All students must submit copies of their and their parent’s federal tax return with all supporting documents including W-2s, 1099s, all schedules (A, B, C, D, E, F, K-1, etc.), and statements.
All students must submit any additional documents requested from the Financial Aid Office in a timely manner.
First-time applicants must also complete the CSS PROFILE and list Occidental College (Code #4581). You must pay the appropriate fee, as explained in the instructions, for your CSS PROFILE to be forwarded to Occidental. First-time applicants who do not complete the CSS PROFILE will not be considered for institutional aid. If you do not complete the CSS PROFILE, but you list Occidental College on your FAFSA application, you will be considered for federal and state aid only. The CSS PROFILE is available online through the College Board at www.collegeboard.org. The deadline for the CSS PROFILE is January 15 for first-year students, March 2 for fall transfer students, and November 1 for spring transfer students.
First-time applicants, whose parents are divorced or separated must also have their non-custodial parent complete the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile is available online through the College Board at www.collegeboard.org.
Returning students must also complete the Parent Supplement and the Student Online Supplement. Returning students who do not submit the two supplemental applications will not be considered for institutional aid. If you do not submit the two supplemental applications but you list Occidental College on your FAFSA application, you will be considered for federal and state aid only. The Parent Supplement is available for download online at www.oxy.edu/financial-aid/forms and is due by March 2. The Student Online Supplement is available online via the Oxy student’s myOxy portal and is due by March 2.
Graduate Students are encouraged to file and sign their tax return and to submit them to our office as early as possible, but not later than March 2. Files completed after this date will be considered late and will not receive priority processing.