Related Resources

While Occidental's Financial Aid Office may be your first contact regarding college costs, the financial aid community extends far beyond our office. Your financial aid award is coordinated here at Occidental with the federal government, your home state, banks and lending institutions, and private non-profit organizations. Many of these organizations have websites that can assist you in understanding how each player fits into the financial aid process as well as provide you with additional information. 

The U.S. Department of Education website describes all the basic functions and services that govern federal educational programs. The Student Financial Assistance page can help explain the different programs offered by the federal government to help pay for college.

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is best known at Occidental for administering the Cal Grant program. In addition, the commission offers materials to students to help prepare, apply, and pay for higher education. The CSAC homepage also describes their many other programs designed to provide access to educational opportunities in California.

The CollegeBoard is a national organization of schools and colleges that promotes the transition to higher education. You can register for and complete the CSS PROFILE (which is required for all incoming students interested in institutional financial aid at Occidental) or conduct a scholarship or career search. 

College Board's Financial Aid EasyPlanner offers students and families the ability to estimate their family contribution and compare award letters to determine which school offers the best aid for you, among other features.

Fastweb is the largest online scholarship search engine. This free service provides students the opportunity to find additional funds to pay for higher education. Fastweb is endorsed by more than 1,300 colleges and universities nationwide, as well as the U.S. Department of Education.

Get College Funds is from the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. It has a database of over 3,400 scholarships. You do not need to be an Oregon resident to search, but most scholarships require residency to receive the award.

You can receive a summary of your federal student loans though the National Student Loan Data System or by calling (800) 999-8219.

There are many excellent sources of information available to students in addition to those noted above, others include, but are not limited to:

FinAid: The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
California Cash for College
College Answer
Broke Scholar
The Gates Millennium Scholars