Financial Aid for International Students
Financial aid for international students is very limited. Aid is awarded in the form of scholarships, which vary in dollar amounts according to each student's demonstrated need, but may cover up to the full cost of an Occidental education. International scholarships are awarded according to merit and need, and are given to those students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.
Only those international students who are unable to meet our costs should apply for aid because the competition for admission among applicants seeking aid tends to be considerably more intense than those international students who do not require financial assistance. Please also note that international students who do not apply for aid at the time of admission should not expect aid during any of their years at Occidental.
If you need financial assistance in order to attend Occidental College, please explain any unusual expenses, debt, or special circumstances using the space provided on the Certification of Finances (COF) form and complete the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFA)*.
*Please note that these documents are in .pdf format. You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to read or print this document. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader you may download it for free.
Frequently Asked International Financial Aid Questions
Does Oxy offer financial aid to international students and is it competitive?
Yes. Oxy has committed to providing 100% of demonstrated need to all admitted students, international or domestic.
International financial aid is very competitive at Occidental. Each year Oxy is only able to fully fund 2 to 4 international students. Aid is based on both need and merit. Students who are looking to compete for the international scholarship need to expect a process that is extremely selective.
Can international students have a campus job?
Yes, international students are able to have an on campus job. You must hold a F-1 visa in order to be allowed to work on-campus. Domestic and international students alike are only allowed to work 15 hours per week. International students are not permitted to work off-campus during their time of study at Occidental.
Each semester there is a large selection of campus jobs available to accommodate a wide variety of interests. If you want to see a sample of jobs available currently, click here.
What forms do international students need to apply for financial aid?
All international students must fill out the Certification of Finances (COF) form. Additionally, if international students are seeking need-based financial aid they must fill out the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFA).
The COF is ultimately used to help obtain a student visa. An application is not considered complete until the COF is received. (Please see the the next question about the COF for more details about what it is and how it is used).
International students do not submit the FAFSA or the CSS Profile. These are forms only for US citizens or permanent residents.
Why does Occidental require the Certification of Finances?
The Certificate of Finances (COF) form is a requirement for all international applicants. The purpose of the COF is to help Occidental College obtain complete, accurate, and standardized information about the funds available to international applicants who wish to study in the United States. Strict government regulations, rising education costs, and economic conditions have made verification of financial resources of international applicants essential.
Occidental College must verify the financial resources of international applicants, and financial verification must be made prior to institutional issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20). By completing and returning the COF to the College, an applicant, if admitted, may obtain the College's authorization and issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20).
United States consuls scrutinize the statements of financial resources given by nonimmigrant visa applicants. It is important that you answer each of the questions and obtain the appropriate signatures; otherwise, the form will be considered incomplete and returned to you. A bank official's signature and seal is required on the certification if the student is partially or totally supported by personal savings. A complete COF will help United States consuls make their decisions and expedite the visa issuance.
Please return the COF with your admission application. Your application will not be considered complete without this form.
Are international students eligible for merit scholarships?
International applicants may be eligible for merit-based scholarships. Merit scholarships are evaluated based on academic merit by the admission office, and not on financial need. Applicants must be in the top of the applicant pool in order to be considered for merit awards.