Review the policy on enrollment eligibility and student holds.
I. POLICY STATEMENT
Occidental College (College) expects students to meet financial obligations to the College during registration, enrollment, and upon graduation. For students who intend to enroll or remain enrolled, certain criteria must be met to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local mandates and for College business purposes. Students have a variety of methods to resolve various holds.
Authorized College staff and/or academic administrators may impose a hold on student accounts and/or records for financial, student conduct, legal compliance, or academic reasons, or for reasons that prevent the certification of enrollment at Occidental College. A hold may prevent a student from registering for courses, accessing student information platforms (i.e. – BANNER, MyOxy, etc.), making registration changes, or moving into college-owned residence halls, among others. This policy covers academic semesters and winter/summer break periods. Holds and related restrictions will be applied in accordance with applicable federal and state law.
II. APPLICABILITY
This policy is applicable to students who are expected to enroll, are enrolled, or were previously enrolled at Occidental College, and covers all relevant departments and offices at Occidental College including, but not limited to, Bursar, Civil Rights & Title IX, Dean of the College, Dean of Students Office, Emmons Wellness Center, Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Conduct.
III. DEFINITIONS
- Currently Enrolled – students who have added at least one course to their schedule and affirmed their intention to be a student by clicking the “Enroll Me” button beginning with the first day of the semester.
- Prior Term Balance – Any financial balance due to the College for a semester that has officially concluded.
- Enrollment Certification – certification by a college official that a student is enrolled at Oxy, or previously has been enrolled.
- Financial Obligations – amounts owed to Occidental College by a student.
- Holds – a restriction that is placed on a student record or account that can, among other restrictions, prevent enrollment, release of diplomas, release of financial aid, move-in to college residence halls, ID card activation, and other services that the College is obligated to perform.
- Notice – a non-restrictive notification placed on a student’s record or account to inform the student of an action that must be completed to avoid disrupting the academic process.
- Enroll Me Button – an online affirmation by a student that they wish to proceed with their enrollment at the college for the current semester.
IV. POLICY
A. Notices
A notice is a non-restrictive notification placed on a student’s record or account to inform the student of an action that must be completed to avoid disrupting the academic process. Notices may be delivered by email, phone call, text message, or myOxy alert.
With most holds, once an initial notice is issued, the student typically has ten business days to respond, resolve the issue, or make acceptable arrangements with the appropriate office. If the matter remains unresolved, the College may issue a reminder notice or directly place a hold.
In time-sensitive circumstances, including registration, move-in, or the start of a semester, the College may require a shorter response period, provided the deadline, required action, and potential consequences are clearly communicated.
B. Placement of the Hold
A hold may be placed if a student has not completed the required action, resolved the issue, or made acceptable arrangements by the deadline stated in the notice. Reasons for holds may include, but are not limited to, prior-term balances, student conduct sanctions, failure to declare enrollment status, or other requirements necessary for enrollment certification or College business purposes.
A hold may remain in effect until the requirement is completed, the issue is resolved, or acceptable arrangements are made.
C. Prior Term Balance Hold
In accordance with the Student Account Late Payment Policy, students are required to clear any prior term balances over $1,000 with the Bursar’s Office before they may move into college-owned housing or activate their ID cards. Starting with the Spring 2027 semester, students will receive a notice two weeks before the start of each semester if they have a Prior Term Balance of over $1,000. If they haven't resolved the balance in one week, registration for the upcoming semester's classes will be cancelled.
D. Release of Holds
Holds can only be cleared by the department or office that placed the hold. For example, if the hold was placed by the Bursar’s Office, only the Bursar can clear that hold, and only after all financial obligations have been met or acceptable arrangements have been agreed upon.
E. Process for Exemptions
Affected students can appeal to the respective offices for potential exemptions. However, circumstances must be extenuating and may not release the student completely from fulfilling the specific obligations.
F. Contact Information
For questions related to specific holds, please contact the specific department responsible that issued the hold.
V. POLICY HISTORY.
Responsible Officer(s): Registrar
Effective Date: August 17, 2026
Last Revised Date: August 17, 2026