Once inside the portal, make sure the dropdown says “Current Award Year: 2026/2027.” Accept or decline each financial aid fund, including any loans that have been offered. Leaving a fund in “pending” status will prevent all aid from disbursing on the first day of classes and may result in late fees. When finished, click SUBMIT to finalize your selections.
While still logged into the portal, check for any missing or incomplete documents and review your messages. Missing documents—such as the Funds Authorization Form—must be submitted through . Incomplete or missing items will delay the application of your financial aid and could result in late fees.
If you’ve been awarded assistance through the Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, Occidental No-Interest Loan, or Occidental Low-Interest Loan program, you must complete an entrance interview and electronically sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Disclosures (Oxy loans only). Complete these forms by visiting:
- for Federal Direct Loans
- The ECSI portal for Occidental’s student loan program
Note: New students cannot go directly to the ECSI portal for Oxy loans. First, accept your loan in the Financial Aid Portal. You’ll then receive an email from ECSI with a link to complete your next steps—usually within 48 hours of loan acceptance.
Reminder: Complete your financial aid acceptance and eBill setup by July 1 to avoid late fees or disbursement delays.
Billing
Occidental uses electronic billing (eBill) to send student account statements. You’ll need to set up your eBill account and add any authorized users—anyone you’d like to view your account or make payments—by July 1.
Financial aid credits shown on your bill reflect the aid that has been awarded and accepted at the time your billing statement is generated. Grants, scholarships, and loans reduce the amount owed, while Federal Work-Study and Occidental Work Awards are paid directly to you as you earn them (they do not appear on the billing statement).
Add authorized users
If you’d like to give others permission to receive billing statements or make payments on your behalf, follow the directions on the Student Business Services webpage. You can add more than one authorized user.
Payment methods
Occidental accepts the following forms of payment:
- Personal or cashier’s checks
- Payments from 529 College Savings Plans
- Cash (in person at the cashier’s window)
- Money orders
- ACH (electronic checks)
- Debit cards
- Electronic funds transfer (EFT/wire transfer)
Payment plans
The College offers two payment options: by semester or monthly. All students are automatically assigned the semester payment plan. If you’d like to pay in monthly installments, you must sign up through the . You’ll need to re-enroll each semester if you wish to continue using the monthly plan.
All regular charges are due before each semester begins.
- Fall 2026: Payment due in August
- Spring 2027: Payment due in January
Payments are due after financial aid credits have been applied.
Charges can be paid in five monthly installments, due by the first of each month:
- Fall semester: Payments due August–December
- Spring semester: Payments due January–May
There is a $50 per semester fee to participate. To take advantage of the full five-payment schedule, enroll by August 1.
Charging to Your Student Account
You can open a Bengal Bucks debit account to make purchases at the Bookstore and Student Activities Center. Visit the Card Services webpage to open an account or add funds. Any unused funds roll over for future semesters.
Tuition Insurance (optional)
Occidental offers an optional Tuition Protection Plan, administered by GradGuard, to help protect your educational investment. This plan can reimburse tuition, housing, and meal costs if you need to withdraw during the semester for a covered reason, such as a physical or mental health condition.
The plan extends and enhances the College’s standard refund policy, which may not provide refunds later in the term. Enrollment is optional and must be completed directly through GradGuard before the first day of classes.
Questions?
For questions regarding financial aid (including Federal Direct Loans and PLUS Loans), please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (323) 259-2548 or by email at finaid@oxy.edu.
For questions regarding student accounts, billing, and payment plans, please contact Student Business Services at (323) 259-2610 or stuaccts@oxy.edu.