Occidental College has a long history of providing educational opportunities to qualified students from various economic backgrounds. In past years over 70 percent of the Occidental College student body received some form of financial aid. Varying amounts of financial aid are awarded to qualified students.
Financial aid is given in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and on-campus employment.
Awards are based upon a family's calculated need and the resources available from scholarship endowment, annual gifts restricted to scholarship awards, and the general funds of the College, as well as federal and state sources. With the exception of a small number of merit programs, financial aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need based on federal, state and institutional policies. The College evaluates family resources in a consistent and equitable manner. The general principle of these policies is that parents and students are the primary source of funds for post-secondary education and both have an obligation to finance educational expenses to the extent that they are able. Financial need is considered to be the difference between the cost of attendance and the family's ability to pay, as determined by the Financial Aid Office.