Occidental students walk on the quad near Johnson Student Center

Affordability at Oxy

A private college education may be more affordable than you think.

Occidental College offers significant financial aid, scholarships, and affordability guarantees designed to make an Occidental education accessible to more students and families.

Depending on your family’s circumstances or academic record, you may qualify for guaranteed scholarships or grants that immediately reduce your tuition. Occidental also meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Here are four ways Occidental is making the cost of college more manageable.

Occidental Affordability Promise

  • Families with a total income under $150,000 with typical assets pay no tuition.
  • Families with a total income between $150,000-$250,000 with typical assets pay half tuition.

3.6+ GPA Scholarship Guarantee

Students with an unweighted GPA of 3.6+ receive at least $10,000 annually.

Occidental Commitment Scholarship

Applicants admitted through Early Decision receive a minimum $20,000 award annually.

Cal Grant Promise

California residents who qualify for a Cal Grant will have their full tuition covered.

Students may qualify for more than one of these initiatives, but awards are typically not stackable. Families will always receive the initiative or aid package that results in the highest level of support.

An Occidental student reads a book in the Academic Quad

Affordability Promise

Occidental’s Affordability Promise provides guaranteed tuition support for qualifying U.S. citizens and permanent residents with typical assets. Families with total income under $150,000 pay no tuition, while families with total income between $150,000-250,000 receive aid covering at least half of tuition.

Read up on the Affordability Promise
An Occidental student works on the computer in a lab.

3.6+ GPA Scholarship Guarantee

All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, regardless of GPA. But if you are admitted with an unweighted GPA of 3.60 or higher, as recalculated by Occidental, you’re guaranteed at least $10,000 per year in merit scholarships. You may qualify for an even larger merit scholarship based on your academic record.

Explore Merit Scholarships
Occidental students welcome new students to campus

Commitment Scholarship

When you apply Early Decision to Occidental and are admitted, you’ll automatically receive a scholarship of at least $20,000 per year in recognition of your early commitment to Occidental.

Commitment Scholarship Details
Two Occidental College students sit on a wall on the Los Angeles campus

Cal Grant Promise

If you’re a California resident who qualifies for a Cal Grant, Occidental guarantees that your full tuition will be covered through a combination of grants and scholarships.

Learn About the Cal Grant Promise

Estimate Your Costs

Wondering what Occidental might cost for your family? Our cost estimators can give you a personalized estimate, from a quick calculation to a more detailed look at your potential costs and financial aid. 

Quick Cost Estimators

Want to Learn More About Financial Aid?

These affordability initiatives are just one part of financial aid at Occidental. Learn how your financial need is determined, what types of aid may be included in your financial aid offer and what you’ll need to submit to apply.
 

How Financial Aid Works How to Apply for Financial Aid

Affordability Myth vs. Fact

FACT: Not necessarily. The published price of a college isn’t necessarily what your family will pay. Financial aid, scholarships, and affordability initiatives can significantly reduce what it costs you to attend Occidental.
 

FACT: You may be surprised by what financial aid your family qualifies for. Occidental's Affordability Promise provides guaranteed tuition support at annual incomes up to $250,000 with typical assets. You may also qualify for other need-based or merit aid.

FACT: Actually, you’ll be considered for Occidental merit scholarships regardless of your GPA. A 3.6+ unweighted GPA simply guarantees that, if admitted, you’ll receive at least $10,000 per year in merit scholarships.

FACT: These awards are typically not stackable. If you qualify for more than one initiative, you’ll receive the initiative or financial aid offer that provides you with the highest level of support.

Contact Admission
Collins House

1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Phone: (323) 259-2700
admission@oxy.edu