Financial Aid

State Grants

Check with your state government to see if they offer state grant assistance for college.

California

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants A and B to California residents based on eligibility requirements set by the State of California.

All Occidental students who are California residents must apply for a Cal Grant. The College will not replace funds for students who do not apply or fail to properly complete the Cal Grant application process. These grants are considered need-based assistance and will replace, dollar-for-dollar, Occidental need-based scholarships.

Cal Grants A and B may be renewable for up to four years providing the family continues to meet yearly income and asset ceilings set by CSAC. Income and asset ceilings are available on the CSAC website.

Awards

Cal Grant A Entitlement- to be considered for a Cal Grant A, students must meet basic eligibility criteria, financial criteria, and a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. Full-time students awarded a Cal Grant are eligible to receive $9,223 (amount subject to change based on the state budget).

Cal Grant B Entitlement- to be considered for a Cal Grant B, students must meet basic eligibility criteria, financial criteria, and a minimum high school GPA of 2.0. First‑year students receive a living stipend. Second‑, third‑, and fourth‑year students receive both a living stipend and a tuition grant. Currently, the living stipend is $1,473 and the tuition grant is $9,223 for full-time students (amount subject to change based on state budget).

Competitive Cal Grant A and B- these awards are similar to the entitlement awards, except that they are not guaranteed even if the student meets the financial and GPA requirements. Each year competitive awards are available to those students who did not receive an entitlement award.

How to apply

To be considered for these grants, prospective first-year students must complete their FAFSA and submit their GPA Verification Form* to CSAC by March 2^nd. Check with your high school counselor for help in completing this form.

Prospective transfer students must complete their FAFSA by March 2^nd and their current college or university must submit their college GPA to CSAC by March 2^nd. Check with your current college or university for details.

Non-traditional students may submit tests scores (GED, ACT, or SAT) to CSAC in lieu of a GPA to be considered for this grant. This includes students who are home schooled; students attending an unaccredited high school; students who attend high school outside of the U.S. and are unable to convert those grades to a 4.0 scale; or students who have been out of school for five years or more.

Current Oxy students must submit their FAFSA by March 2^nd to be considered for this grant. Occidental will automatically submit GPAs for all enrolled students to CSAC by March 2^nd.

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers a state grant to Pennsylvania residents based on eligibility requirements set by the state.

To be considered for this grant, students must complete their FAFSA and submit a State Grant Form to PHEAA by May 1^st. For more details visit the PHEAA Apply/Renew website.

Pennsylvania students who attend Occidental may receive from $200 to $370 for 2012-2013 from PHEAA. These awards are considered outside scholarships and may reduce your need-based loan amounts.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority (RIHEAA) offers a State Grant and an Academic Promise Grant to Rhode Island residents based on eligibility requirements set by the state.

State Grant- to be considered for this grant, students must complete their FAFSA by March 1^st. Rhode Island students who attend Occidental may receive from $250 to $700 for 2012-2013 from this program.

Academic Promise Grant- to be considered for this grant, students must complete their FAFSA by March 1^st and must have taken their SAT or ACT standardized tests by January of their senior year. Rhode Island students who attend Occidental may receive up to $2,500 for 2012-2013 from this program.

These awards are considered outside scholarships and may reduce your need-based loan amounts.

These awards can be renewed for up to three years if the student files a new FAFSA, continues to meet all eligibility requirements, and maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution of enrollment.

Vermont

The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) offers the Vermont Incentive Grant to Vermont residents based on eligibility requirements set by the state.

To be considered for this grant, students must submit their FAFSA and complete a Vermont Grant application online via the myVSAC web portal.