Financial Aid
Occidental College has a long history of providing educational opportunities to qualified students from various economic backgrounds. More than 70% of the Occidental student body receives some form of financial aid.
Varying amounts of financial aid are awarded to qualified students. Financial aid is given in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and on-campus employment. Awards are based upon a family’s calculated need and the resources available from endowment, annual gifts, the general funds of the College, and federal and state sources.
With the exception of a small number of merit programs, financial aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need based on federal, state, and institutional policies. The College evaluates family resources in a consistent and equitable manner. The general principle of these policies is that parents and students are the primary source of funds for post-secondary education and both have an obligation to finance educational expenses to the extent that they are able. Financial need is considered to be the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) and a family’s expected family contribution (EFC), as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
Students are expected to contribute toward their educational expenses. All students are expected to contribute at least $3,100 from summer earnings to assist in meeting costs of education. In addition there’s an expected contribution from net student assets of 25%.
Financial assistance for international students is extremely limited. Additional information and special financial aid applications are available from the Office of Admission. International scholarships are renewable for four years as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. International students are only considered for institutional aid at the time of admission.