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Occidental students walk on the quad near Johnson Student Center

Affordability at Â鶹´«Ã½

Investing in college is a big decision. At Occidental, we’re committed to making sure cost is never the barrier that keeps you from pursuing your education.

At Occidental, affordability isn’t an afterthought—it’s a promise. We make sure cost is never the barrier that keeps you from joining our community by meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Depending on your family’s circumstances, you may qualify for guaranteed scholarships or grants that immediately reduce your tuition—and many students receive even more support once we review their full financial aid application.

Here are the ways Occidental keeps college within reach for students and families. Learn more about them below:

Occidental Affordability Promise

  • Occidental covers 100% of tuition for families with a total income under $100,000.
  • Occidental covers 50% of tuition for families with a total income up to $200,000.

Minimum GPA Scholarship

Students with an unweighted GPA of 3.6+ receive at least $10,000 annually.

Occidental Commitment Scholarship

Applicants admitted through Early Decision receive at minimum a $15,000 award annually.

Cal Grant Promise

California residents who qualify for a Cal Grant will have their full tuition covered.

Students may qualify for more than one of these initiatives, but awards are typically not stackable. Families will always receive the initiative or aid package that results in the highest level of support.

An Occidental student reads a book in the Academic Quad

Occidental Affordability Promise

  • If your family’s total income is under $100,000 with typical assets, Occidental guarantees that your full tuition will be covered.
  • If your family earns between $100,000–$200,000 with typical assets, you’re guaranteed at least half of tuition covered.
Read up on the Affordability Promise
An Occidental student works on the computer in a lab.

Minimum GPA Scholarship

If you are admitted and have an unweighted GPA of 3.60 or higher (as recalculated by Occidental from your 9–12th grade English, Math, Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language courses), you’ll automatically receive at least $10,000 per year in annual scholarships. 

Students with higher GPAs and significant academic rigor may be eligible for merit scholarships that range up to $50,000 per year. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years as long as you maintain GPA requirements. Note that merit scholarships are not stackable with commitment scholarships or affordability promises; instead, families will always receive the initiative or aid package that results in the highest level of support.

Explore Merit Scholarships
Occidental students welcome new students to campus

Occidental Commitment Scholarship

When you apply Early Decision to Occidental and are admitted, you’ll automatically receive at minimum a $15,000 annual scholarship. This scholarship is our way of recognizing your early commitment to Occidental.

Commitment Scholarship Details
Two Â鶹´«Ã½ students sit on a wall on the Los Angeles campus

Cal Grant Promise

If you’re a California resident who qualifies for a Cal Grant, Occidental’s Cal Grant Promise guarantees that your full tuition will be covered through a combination of grants and scholarships.

Learn About the Cal Grant Promise

Estimate Your Costs

Use our quick cost estimators to see what your family might expect to pay—ranging from a fast slider tool to a detailed calculator.

Quick Cost Estimators

How to Apply for Aid

Ready to take the next step? Review the application requirements and deadlines to apply for financial aid.

Apply for Financial Aid

Contact Admission
Collins House

1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Phone: (323) 259-2700
admission@oxy.edu