Grants & Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are financial aid resources that never need to be repaid, helping make an Occidental education more affordable. 

Occidental offers a wide range of grants and scholarships to help make college more accessible. From federal and state programs to institutional need-based grants and merit scholarships, these resources are designed to reduce costs without repayment. Eligibility is determined by the information you provide in your financial aid applications, and some awards are automatic while others require separate forms. Explore the sections below to learn more about the types of funding.

Federal Grants

Federal grants are funded by the U.S. government and awarded by Occidental based on your financial aid application. These grants support students with high financial need. To be considered, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the required deadline each year you’re enrolled.

The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based program funded by the U.S. government to support undergraduate students. Eligibility is determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI), based on the FAFSA and supporting materials such as tax returns. If you qualify, the Pell Grant will appear in your financial aid offer. Please note that changes in Pell eligibility may affect other need-based grants or scholarships.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to those who qualify for the maximum Federal Pell Grant. Awards are based on available funding and changes to FSEOG eligibility may affect other need-based grants or scholarships.

State Grants

State grants can provide valuable financial support to help cover college costs. For example, California residents may qualify for the Cal Grant, and through Occidental’s Cal Grant Promise, recipients can have their full tuition covered with grants and scholarships.

Students outside California should check with their state government for information on available grant programs and their application requirements. Keep in mind that some state grants may not transfer to out-of-state institutions, so it’s important to confirm eligibility early.

Cal Grants (California residents only)

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants to eligible California residents attending California colleges and universities. All California students must re-apply for a Cal Grant by filing a FAFSA by the state deadline for each year they are enrolled. Occidental will not replace funds if you fail to apply or complete the process. These grants are considered need-based aid and will replace Occidental’s need-based grants on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Cal Grants may be renewed for up to four years, provided you continue to meet income and asset requirements set by CSAC. Transfer students may have their eligibility prorated based on how much of their Cal Grant entitlement was used prior to attending Occidental.

  • Requires a minimum 3.0 high school GPA plus financial and basic eligibility criteria.
  • Helps cover tuition costs (currently up to $9,358, subject to change based on the state budget).
  • Renewable for up to 8 semesters if eligibility is maintained (pro-rated for part-time and transfer students).
     

  • Requires a minimum 2.0 high school GPA plus financial and basic eligibility criteria.
  • First-year students receive a living stipend only.
  • Second–fourth year students receive both a living stipend (currently $1,648) and a tuition grant (up to $9,358, subject to change).
  • Renewable for up to 8 semesters if eligibility is maintained (pro-rated for part-time and transfer students).
     

  • Similar to entitlement awards, but not guaranteed even if GPA and financial requirements are met.
  • A limited number are awarded each year to students who did not receive entitlement awards.
  • Award amounts mirror those of the entitlement grants (currently up to $9,358, subject to change).
  • To be considered, Occidental will submit GPA on behalf of current students, but you must submit the FAFSA by the March 2 deadline.

Vermont Incentive Grant

Awarded by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to eligible Vermont residents. To apply, you must submit the FAFSA and complete the Vermont Grant application through the myVSAC web portal. Award amounts vary each year based on available state funding. These funds are treated as outside scholarships at Occidental and may reduce your need-based loan(s) or work-study eligibility.

Occidental Merit Scholarships

Occidental offers a limited number of merit scholarships to incoming students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, motivation, and promise. All applicants are automatically considered—there is no separate application.

Merit scholarships are awarded at the time of admission by the Office of Admission and are final. They are renewable for up to eight semesters as long as you maintain the required GPA. Scholarships are prorated for students enrolled part-time (6–11 units) and for transfer students based on their grade level at admission.

Awarded up to $10,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years (for a total of up to $40,000) provided the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
 

Awarded for up to $15,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years (for a total of $60,000), provided the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.0).

Awarded in the amount of $20,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years (for a total of $80,000), provided the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Awarded in the amount of $25,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years (for a total of $100,000), provided the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Awarded for up to $35,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years (for a total of $140,000), provided the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.25.

Awarded to honor scholastically talented high school students through an annual competition. Awards are $2,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years. To be considered for the award, students must have taken the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). 

Awarded to one student each year who participated in Occidental’s Upward Bound program. This scholarship provides $10,000 annually and is renewable for up to three additional years (totaling $40,000) with satisfactory academic progress.

Awarded in the amount of $20,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years (for a total of $80,000), provided the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Awarded annually to outstanding entering students from California. Recipients receive $50,000 per year, renewable for up to four years (a total of $200,000) as long as they remain in good academic standing.

Awarded to one student each year from Eagle Rock Senior, Benjamin Franklin, James A. Garfield, or Theodore Roosevelt High School. Recipients are selected for outstanding academic achievement and a strong commitment to community. This scholarship covers full tuition, required fees, housing (double room), and Meal Plan B, and is renewable for up to three additional years.

Institutional Grants

Occidental offers institutional grants based on financial need, not academic promise. These awards are reassessed each year using the information you provide on your financial aid applications.

To remain eligible, you must demonstrate financial need, be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more units), and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Grants may be adjusted if you withdraw, attend less than full time, or are admitted as a transfer student (pro-rated based on grade level).

The majority of Occidental’s institutional aid comes in the form of need-based grants. Award amounts are determined by:

  • Your academic year budget (cost of attendance)
  • Your family’s calculated contribution
  • Your overall financial need

Grants are funded through a combination of College resources, alumni gifts, corporate and foundation support, and other donors committed to student access.

Many of Occidental’s institutional grants are funded by donors through named endowed or annual scholarships. These designations don’t represent additional money beyond your financial aid offer; instead, they identify the source of the grant you’ve already received.

The Office of Financial Aid automatically matches students to named scholarships based on eligibility criteria set by donors, such as academic interests, background, or other characteristics. There is no separate application process.

If selected, you may be asked to write a thank-you note or participate in donor engagement opportunities. These connections can help you build relationships with alumni and supporters who make student access possible at Oxy.

Veteran Benefits

Occidental College is proud to support veterans and their families through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive assistance that covers the full cost of tuition and fees. Veterans may also be eligible for additional institutional aid, depending on their financial circumstances.

Learn More About Veterans Benefits >

Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships—typically funded by private corporations, organizations, or community groups—offer students an additional way to help cover the cost of college. These funds can help reduce the amount of loans or work-study you might otherwise need. We encourage all students to explore and apply for outside scholarships whenever possible.

How Outside Scholarships Affect Your Aid

Outside scholarships will first reduce need-based loans, followed by your work award, as required by federal and state law. If grants and scholarships exceed your total financial need, adjustments may be made to institutional grant funding. These awards generally do not replace your calculated family contribution.

Finding Outside Scholarships

There are many online tools to search for scholarship opportunities, including:

Reporting Outside Scholarships

Federal regulations require all outside scholarships, grants, and tuition benefits to be reported as financial resources. You must notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing as soon as you are aware of any outside awards. Failure to report may result in repayment of funds.

  • Checks should be made payable to Occidental College and include your name and Oxy ID number.
  • If a check is made out to both you and Occidental, you must endorse it before submitting it to our office.
  • If the donor requires enrollment verification, contact the Registrar’s Office at (323) 259-2686. For financial aid or award verification, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Contact Financial Aid
Office of Financial Aid

AGC Room 119
Occidental College
1600 Campus Road F-35
Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314

Phone: (323) 259-2548
finaid@oxy.edu

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