All students applying for financial aid at Occidental are required to apply for the appropriate state and federal grant programs. All grant awards are combined with other resources to meet financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients Cal Grants provide aid to students who are California residents. The Federal Work Study program encourages community service work. Occidental Work Award and Federal Work Study are normally offered as part of the financial aid award.
Interest begins accruing on subsidized loans after a student is no longer enrolled.
Stafford Loans are subsidized by the federal government for students who demonstrate need. Unsubsidized Stafford loans are available for students who do not demonstrate financial need or need to borrow to cover the parental contribution. Participating lenders include banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions. Federal PLUS loans may not exceed the student's cost of education less any financial aid for which the student is eligible. No Occidental funds are available to a student on a leave of absence to study abroad at another institution or for a student who enrolls in less than full-time.