Everything you need—all in one place—to support the Oxy hopefuls in your orbit.
What’s New at Oxy
Here are the highlights
Admission and Financial Aid
- We're staying test optional indefinitely.
- California residents who qualify for the Cal Grant will now have 100% of their tuition covered by Occidental with Occidental's Cal Grant Promise.
- New Early Decision II deadline: January 10
Academics
- The Computing IRL immersive program consists of a connected set of courses in which students will see how computing techniques and ideas are informed by their interaction with the real world.
- We're investing not only in the diversity of our student body, but in our faculty with the help of a five-year, $950,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation.
- A three-year, $247,500 grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation will fund our latest effort to increase the number of underrepresented and first-generation students pursuing STEM degrees.
- Oxy Arts, the community-based arts hub of Occidental College, "explores how to expand the idea of a 'teaching museum' to provide access to pedagogical resources outside the walls of an individual institution and the academy as a whole" with the latest exhibition Encoding Futures.
- The Obama Scholars Program joins Campaign Semester and the U.N. Program as one of the Oxy-specific programs available to promising students, propelling them toward leadership and impact for the public good after life at Oxy.
Facilities
- Our newly constructed De Mandel Aquatics Center opens to athletes.
- The sweeping renovations at the McKinnon Family Tennis Center make it possible for Oxy’s tennis teams to train and compete in facilities that meet NCAA and conference standards.
- The features of the newly constructed Choi Family Music Production Center include a recording studio, a control room and a 16-student music computer lab, making it the new venue for our music production, film scoring, audio engineering and songwriting courses.
- Newly remodeled spaces that are part of the Anderson Center for Environmental Sciences feature state-of-the-art instructional and laboratory facilities that allow Occidental scholars to gain hands-on experience, technological literacy and competencies with modern equipment.
Applying to Oxy
Occidental's Fall 2023 application is open! Make sure to read up about Oxy's Application Process and learn more about this year's Short Answer Questions.
Application Requirements
Application Fee & Fee Waivers
Admission Facts
Engage with Oxy
High School & CBO Visits
Our admission officers are traveling domestically. Please contact your regional admission counselor about the possibility of a visit to your school or organization.
Support at Oxy
Watch this virtual webinar for education professionals committed to holistically supporting Black and African American students. This panel focuses on anti-racism and empowerment in K-12 and higher education.
Affording Oxy
Oxy meets 100% of the demonstrated need of the students we admit. We extend financial aid through merit scholarships, need-based grants, work study and student loans to meet the various needs and circumstances of our students.
Costs & Financial Aid
Net Price Calculator
Meet the Financial Aid Team
Financial Aid Highlights
- 77% of the Class of 2025 received institutional grants or scholarships
- 100% of demonstrated need is met
- $80,668 is the annual cost of attendance
- $35,961 is the median scholarship/grant package
We use the CSS Profile and FAFSA to determine an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If the student’s parents are divorced or separated, we also consider the EFC of the noncustodial parent when determining overall financial need. This information is collected through the CSS Profile - Noncustodial Parent. In a limited number of cases, the noncustodial parent information may be waived. You must submit the CSS Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent for consideration. Submission of this request does not guarantee that a waiver will be approved.
Undocumented students are considered for need-based financial aid like any U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Because federal financial aid is not available for undocumented students, institutional funding is used in its place. Undocumented students residing in CA may be eligible to receive state grant funds through the California Dream Act. More information about this application process can be found on the California Student Aid Commission website.
The financial aid process for undocumented students is similar to the process for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents; however, the federal FAFSA application is waived for undocumented students. Undocumented students will only need to complete the CSS Profile by the due dates for the financial aid application. Visit our Financial Aid website for more information.
Parental citizenship status will NOT affect a student’s financial aid eligibility at Occidental since aid is determined solely by financial need. Whether or not the student’s parents file taxes, the student must provide their parents' financial information on the CSS Profile application. If a student’s parents will not file taxes or do not have an ITIN, use “000-00-0000" in place of a Social Security Number on the CSS Profile application.