Scholarships

Two types of scholarships are available from Occidental College: merit scholarships and need-based scholarships. We also encourage students to look for outside scholarships.

Merit Scholarships

Occidental offers a limited number of merit scholarships to admitted students. Merit scholarships are based on academic ability, achievement, motivation, and promise. Recipients are selected by the Office of Admission. Students who complete their admission application are reviewed for merit scholarships, there is no separate application. Merit scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years as long as the student maintains the academic requirements of the scholarship.

Merit scholarships are only considered at time of admission and are not awarded or re-assessed at any later point.

Merit scholarships are pro-rated for less than full-time study.

Need-Based Scholarships

Occidental College is committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all enrolled students. While a portion of need is met with loans, work awards, and federal and state grants, need-based scholarships meet the majority of need for most students. These scholarships differ from merit scholarships, as they are not linked to academic promise, but rather to the family’s financial situation.

Your need-based scholarship is re-determined each year by the information you provide on your annual financial aid application. These awards are not guaranteed year to year.

Outside Scholarships

The College expects all financial aid applicants to apply for outside scholarships and grants to help meet educational costs as well as keep work and loan awards to a minimum.

Federal regulations require that all outside scholarships and grants be considered as a financial resource. As a result, any such financial assistance you expect to receive for the academic year must be promptly reported in writing to the Financial Aid Office. If you fail to report these other resources, you may have to repay funds received from the College. This can usually be avoided if you report outside resources as soon as you are aware of them.

Outside scholarships will first reduce need-based loans, followed by your work award as required by federal and state law. 

Fellowship Awards

Occidental College Faculty Fellowships Advisors and the Office of Fellowships Advising Program Coordinator work with Oxy students interested in pursuing various national awards such as the British Marshall, Fulbright, Luce, Truman, and Rhodes scholarships. You should begin to explore these awards early and discuss your aspirations with your academic advisor. A list of national fellowships, scholarships, and awards with the name and e-mail address of the faculty advisor for each award can be found on the Fellowships website.