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Your Guide to Graduate Financial Aid 2021-2022

Guide to Securing 2021-2022 Grad/Law Financial Aid Awards

This will assist you with finalizing your financial Aid. Be sure to carefully review all of the information in the table of contents as it will answer many of your questions and give you a better understanding of the financial aid process.

If you are an undergraduate student, view your guide to undergraduate financial aid.

How to Accept Your Aid

Accept Your Financial Aid Awards on Pace Portal

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Follow these steps to accept your financial aid awards:

  1. Go to Pace Portal
  2. Log in with your Pace Portal username and password. If you do not have your username or password, click on “New User” next to the username/password boxes and activate your account by following the instructions provided.
  3. Click on “Students”
  4. Select “Financial Aid System”
  5. Click on “Award”
  6. Click “Award for Aid Year–Review Award and Accept Award Offers”
  7. Select the appropriate aid year (2021–2022 for this academic year) and click “Submit”
  8. Read the instructions under “General Information” before proceeding
  9. Click “Terms and Conditions.” Review and accept the Terms and Conditions. You will not be able to accept your awards until you do so.
  10. Click “Accept Award Offer.” You must accept and/or decline ALL offered aid. You may also accept your loans for a reduced amount.

How to Apply for and Secure the Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate Students

Securing Your Loans

Additional information on the Federal Direct Loan Program can be found at the Federal Student Aid website.

You must complete and submit the Plus Loan for Graduate and Professional Students request for Federal Direct Plus Loan and consent to obtain credit report to the Financial Aid Office. This form can be found on the Pace Financial Aid website. If you accepted the Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, complete all steps listed below:

  1. Complete your Master Promissory Note* (MPN) online.
  2. You will need your FSA ID. If you do not have an FSA ID, create one. Please note that the address for Pace will list only the NYC Campus and that is acceptable for all students. The Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the 2021–2022 academic year will be available in April 2021.
  3. You must also complete Loan Entrance Counseling. This can be done anytime on the Federal Government Student Loans webpage. Follow the directions for the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.

To apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan, follow the steps below:

  1. You must complete and return the “REQUEST FOR GRADUATE PLUS LOAN AND CONSENT TO OBTAIN CREDIT REPORT” form to the Financial Aid Office. The form is available on the “Forms” page of the Financial Aid website.”
  2. The Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement Center (COD) will notify you via mail/email if you are approved or denied.
  3. If approved, you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). You will need an FSA ID in order to complete the MPN online. Please note the address for Pace will list only the NYC Campus and that is acceptable for all students. The MPN for the 2021–2022 academic year will be available in April 2021. If you have trouble signing the MPN, please call 1 (800) 557-7394.

In order to ensure your Student and Graduate PLUS loans will be available for the start of the semester, you will need to complete all of the above steps a minimum of two (2) weeks before the bill due date or mid-July for Law students.

*If you received a Federal Direct Loan during the past several academic years at any college, you may not have to sign a new Promissory Note. The Promissory Note you signed was most likely a Master Promissory Note that will cover all the Direct Loans you receive for up to 10 years. A separate MPN is needed for the Graduate PLUS loan.

Important Information Regarding your Financial Aid Awards

  • Your eligibility for federal financial aid is determined by the information that you reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Student Aid Report (SAR) you received in the mail or online from the federal processor is generated from the FAFSA.

  • Federal regulations require students attend the classes for which aid is awarded. Eligibility for federal student aid is based on your enrollment status for the term in which you are enrolled. Faculty will record attendance within the first few weeks of a course. Attendance is defined by physical attendance or participation in an academically related activity such as submission of an assignment, participation in group or online discussion. Students who register for courses but do NOT attend or participate will be recorded as Not Attending. You may only receive funding for only those classes you actually attend. You will be administratively dropped from any course where attendance cannot be demonstrated and your financial aid will be re-evaluated accordingly. Please visit Enrollment Verification for details.

  • Your financial aid award is based on your anticipated enrollment and living arrangements for the academic year, as reported on your FAFSA. Notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes in your enrollment and/or housing status. Most types of aid require that you enroll in a minimum of six credits, which is half-time status. You must submit a “Package Adjustment Request” form to the Financial Aid Office if your living arrangements change (e.g., you expected to live in the residence halls but you will actually be commuting). These changes may result in cancellation or adjustment of your awards.

  • Your Cost of Attendance, as shown on your award letter and Pace Portal, are estimates. Room charges will vary depending on room type, building and/or number of students in each room. The fees listed will also vary by program and course type. Any changes to your COA will result in changes to your aid eligibility.

  • In order for our office to share information regarding your account with anyone other than yourself, you must complete the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) form. You must re-enter your username and password to access this form.

  • The amount on the award notice indicates the total you are eligible to earn under this program. A work-study job is not guaranteed. Apply for open positions at our Careers website. If you become employed, you will be paid twice a month for the hours worked during the previous pay period. Funds earned from your work-study award will not be deducted from your bill. Pace participates in the America Reads/Counts and Jumpstart programs, which allow you to earn work-study funds by tutoring young children. Positions are off campus in local elementary schools and in community centers with after school programs. For further information, please contact the School of Education.

  • Awarded to students who demonstrate need, based on their FAFSA’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and application filing dates. The amount will be placed on your account once you register for the required credits. Law grant recipients must continue to file their annual FAFSA by the priority date (November 15 of every year), continue to show financial need, and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for award renewals.

  • The recipients of Pace scholarships and awards must sign and submit a separate award agreement form. Most Pace University scholarships and awards are applicable towards Pace tuition for the fall and spring terms only. If your actual tuition is less than anticipated or if you receive additional funds applicable towards tuition, your awards may be adjusted. For more information pertaining to your specific scholarship refer to your scholarship agreement form and Pace Law handbook.

  • Academic progress for scholarship/merit awards and financial aid eligibility is reviewed annually after the completion of the spring semester. Students who start in the spring will only have one semester before academic progress is conducted. Students who are not making academic progress at the close of the spring semester, but who take additional classes during the summer sessions at Pace, will have their academic progress reviewed again at the end of the summer, upon request. (Please submit requests to finaidwp@pace.edu.) All financial aid recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit as specified in the Pace University catalog to receive aid in subsequent years.

  • Pace University offers payment plans. Learn more about the payment plan options offered by Pace University.

  • If you are selected for verification, you will be notified by Pace University on the actions you need to take. Verification documents need to be submitted by April 1 in order to have your aid applied to your Fall bill.

Important Information Regarding Federal Student Loans

Important Information Regarding Federal Loans

  • The Unsubsidized Loan has a current interest rate of 4.30%.
  • The amount of loan disbursed to your account will be reduced by an origination fee, which is currently 1.057%.
  • Both of these rates are subject to change.
  • Interest accrues on the Unsubsidized Loan while you are in school.
  • Quarterly statements from your loan servicer are provided, giving you the option to make.interest payments while in school.

Important Information Regarding Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate Students

Information Regarding the Federal Direct Plus Loan

  • The student must be a US citizen or permanent resident in order to apply for this loan.
  • It is not guaranteed and subject to credit approval.
  • The current interest rate on a Grad PLUS Loan is 5.30%.
  • The amount of the loan disbursed will be reduced by the origination fee, which is currently 4.228%.
  • Both rates are subject to change.
  • Payment on a Grad PLUS Loan will begin six months after you graduate or fall below half-time (six credits).