Grants
Occidental College participates in the following grant programs:
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grants are a need-based undergraduate aid program. If you meet the criteria for a Pell Grant, it will be included on your award letter. Changes in Pell Grant eligibility could reduce or increase other need-based grants and scholarships.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Students with exceptional financial need who qualify for Pell Grants are given priority for FSEOG funds. Recipients may be awarded from $500 to $4,000 during each academic year, based on available federal funding.
Oxy Grants
Occidental Opportunity Grants range from $2,000 to $6,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. If you meet the criteria for this grant it will be included on your award letter.
Cal Grants
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants A and B to California residents as determined by eligibility requirements set by the State of California. Cal Grants replace, dollar-for-dollar, Occidental Need-Based Scholarships. 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.
Cal Grant A Entitlement requirements include financial and basic eligibility criteria and a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. Full-time students awarded a Cal Grant are eligible to receive $9,708 (based on the state budget) for full-time students.
Cal Grant B Entitlement requirements include financial and basic eligibility 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 $1,551 and the tuition grant is $9,708 (based on the state budget) for full-time students.
Competitive Cal Grant A and B 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.
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 through the CSAC website.