Check with your home state government to see if they offer state grant assistance for college.
California
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants A or B to California residents based on eligibility requirements set by the state government.
All Occidental students who are California residents must apply for a Cal Grant . The College will not replace funds for students who do not apply for or fail to properly complete the Cal Grant application process. These grants are considered need-based assistance and will replace, dollar-for-dollar, Occidental need-based scholarships .
Cal Grants A and B may be renewable for up to four years provided the family continues to meet yearly income and asset ceilings set by CSAC. Income and asset ceilings are available on the CSAC website.
Awards
Cal Grant A Entitlement- to be considered for a Cal Grant A, students must meet basic eligibility criteria, financial criteria, and have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. Students awarded a Cal Grant are eligible to receive $9,220 (amount subject to change based on the state budget).
Cal Grant B Entitlement- to be considered for a Cal Grant B, students must meet basic eligibility criteria, financial criteria, and have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0. First‑year students receive a living stipend. Second, third, and fourth year students receive both a living stipend and a tuition grant. Currently, the living stipend is $1,648 for all students. Students awarded a Cal Grant are eligible to receive $9,220 (amount subject to change based on state budget).
Competitive Cal Grant A and B- these awards are similar to the entitlement awards, except that they are not guaranteed even if the student meets the financial and GPA requirements. Each year competitive awards are available to those students who did not receive an entitlement award. Competitive Cal Grants awarded are $9,220 (amount subject to change based on state budget).
How to apply/re-apply
Prospective first-year students must file a FAFSA and submit a GPA Verification Form* to CSAC by March 2nd. Most California high schools will automatically complete the GPA Verification form on behalf of their students. Please check with your high school counselor for more details.
Prospective transfer students must file their FAFSA by March 2nd and their current college or university must submit their college GPA to CSAC by March 2nd.
Non-traditional students may submit tests scores (GED, ACT, or SAT) to CSAC, in lieu of a GPA, to be considered for this grant. This includes students who are home schooled; students attending an unaccredited high school; students who attend high school outside of the U.S. and are unable to convert those grades to a 4.0 scale; or students who have been out of school for more than five years.
Currenty Enrolled Oxy students must file their FAFSA by March 2nd to be considered for this grant. Occidental will automatically submit GPAs for all enrolled students to CSAC by March 2nd.
Vermont
The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) offers the Vermont Incentive Grant to residents of their state.
To be considered for this grant, students must submit their FAFSA and complete a Vermont Grant application online via the myVSAC web portal. Award amounts for this grant are subject to change every year based on funding.
These awards are considered outside scholarships and may reduce your need-based loan(s) or work study.