As I'm in the process of budgeting for college, I'm looking at Occidental. Can anyone provide some recent data about the tuition there? And bonus points for financial aid tips too!
Occidental College, like many other private liberal arts institutions in the United States, is known to be fairly expensive. However, these institutions often offer generous financial aid packages to students based on demonstrated needs.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, Occidental's tuition rate is around $65,678. That's just for tuition and does not include other costs such as room and board, meal plans, books and supplies, or personal expenses. If you add those in, the total estimated cost of attendance can reach around $85,526 per year.
Financial aid at Occidental is need-based, and the college commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. Occidental doesn't offer merit scholarships, so all financial aid is awarded based on your family's financial need. When considering need-based aid, the college looks at factors such as your family’s income, assets, and number of children attending college.
You and your family would start the financial aid process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile, which give a more detailed snapshot of your family's financial situation than the FAFSA does alone. Occidental uses these forms to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the amount your family is expected to contribute toward your education for the academic year.
Financial aid packages at Occidental typically include a combination of grants (which do not need to be repaid), work study (an opportunity to work on campus or in the community), and loans (which do need to be repaid). The balance of these components in your package can vary based on your family's specific financial circumstances.
Lastly, keep in mind that financial aid packages can often be negotiated or appealed. If your financial circumstances change, or if you receive a better offer from another school, it can be worth reaching out to Occidental's financial aid office to see if they can adjust your offer. Remember to do so politely and with all the necessary documentation to back up your request.
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