Students walking into 1 Pace Plaza in NYC.

Your Guide to Financial Aid 2021-2022

Guide to Securing 2021-2022 Financial Aid

It's time finalize your financial aid! Pace's Financial Aid office is here to assist you with the remaining aspects of the process. Be sure to carefully read all the information in the links below as it will answer many of the pressing questions you may have, and provide you with a better understanding of how financial aid works.

If you are a graduate student, view your guide to graduate financial aid.

Accept Your Aid and Sign Your Scholarship Agreement Form

Accept Your Financial Aid Awards on Pace Portal

  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 and prompts provided.
    • Review ITS New Student Checklist for additional information regarding activating a new account.
  3. 3. After logging in, click on the “Students” tab.
  4. 4. Select the “Financial Aid System” link.
  5. 5. Click on the “Award Offer” tab to:
    • Review your financial aid information and offers for the current aid year.
    • Accept/decline your aid offers.

For the best web browsing experience with Pace web-based systems, Internet Explorer 11 or higher and Mozilla Firefox 70 or higher are recommended. Safari and Google Chrome may also be used.

How To Sign Your Scholarship Agreement Form

  1. Follow steps 1-5 of the Accepting your Financial Aid instructions, listed above.
  2. Accept your Scholarship.
  3. Click the “Home” tab and review your unsatisfied requirements.
  4. Click the link for your Scholarship Agreement Form.
    • Log in using your Pace Portal username and password.

If you have access issues, try changing your web browser. If issues persist, contact Information Technology Services (ITS) at pacehelpdesk@pace.edu.

Steps to Apply and Secure Your Federal Student Loans

Additional information on the Federal Direct Loan Program is available at the Federal Student Aid Website.

If you accepted a Direct Stafford Loan, complete all steps listed below:

  • Complete your Master Promissory Note† (MPN) online
  • You will need your FSA ID. If you do not have an FSA ID, create one. Please note 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 April 2021.
  • You must also complete Loan Entrance Counseling. This can be done any time, follow the directions for the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.

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

  1. You and your parent/step-parent/adoptive parent must complete and submit the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Plus) request for Federal Direct Plus Loan and consent to obtain credit report to the Financial Aid Office. This form cannot be submitted through the Federal Student Aid website.
  2. The Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement Center (COD) will notify your parent/step-parent/adoptive parent via mail/email if they are credit approved or denied.
  3. If approved, your parent/step-parent/adoptive parent must complete a Loan Agreement for a PLUS Loan (MPN). They will need an FSA ID in order to complete the MPN online. If they do not have an FSA ID, create one. Please note 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. If your parent/step-parent/adoptive parent has trouble signing the MPN, please call 1 (800) 557-7394.

In order to ensure your Student and 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.

If a student is applying for a PLUS loan to finance non-Pace housing, they must provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of their signed lease agreement (all parties’ signatures must be present and the student must be a lessee on the agreement) prior to submitting the loan application.

*If the PLUS Loan is denied, your parent may seek a cosigner, or you may become eligible for an additional Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan of $4,000 for students with 0–64 (freshman/sophomore) completed credits or $5,000 for students with 65+ (junior/senior) completed credits.

†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.

Financial Aid Awards Information

  • 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 from the federal processor is generated from the FAFSA.

    If you have been selected for the federal verification process, you will receive further guidance from our office. Your financial aid cannot be finalized until verification is complete. This process may result in changes to your aid. Verification documents need to be submitted by April 1 in order to have your aid applied to your fall bill.

  • 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. You must 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 COA, 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.

  • In order to be considered for this grant you must be Pell grant eligible and have submitted your FAFSA by November 15.

  • This is a state grant for eligible New York residents only. Your TAP award is estimated. To receive this grant, you must complete the Express TAP Application (ETA) and must be a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits). You can complete the Express TAP Application electronically. If you have any questions regarding TAP or the ETA process, you may call New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) at 1 (888) 697-4372.

  • In order to receive this award you must be full-time (12 or more credits) and demonstrate financial need. This grant is applicable towards tuition for fall and spring semesters only. To continue to receive this award beyond the first year, you must maintain full time enrollment and meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.

  • These scholarships/awards are applicable toward Pace tuition for the fall and spring terms only. You must maintain full-time enrollment (12 or more credits) for eight consecutive semesters. For more information pertaining to your specific scholarship, refer to your Award Agreement form.

  • This is a federal grant for students in pursuit of their first bachelor’s degree. Students are eligible for a maximum of six annual Pell awards or 12 semester payments.

  • In order to receive this award you must be full-time (12 or more credits) and reside in on-campus housing. This grant is applicable toward tuition for the fall and spring semesters only. To continue to receive this award beyond your first year you must maintain full-time enrollment, continue to reside in on-campus housing, and meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.

  • Academic progress for scholarship/merit awards and financial aid eligibility is reviewed annually after the completion of the spring semester. 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 financialaid@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.

Important Information Regarding Federal Student Loans

Federal Student Loans

  • The subsidized/unsubsidized loans have a current interest rate of 2.75%.
  • 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 does not accrue on the subsidized loan until six months after you graduate or drop below half-time (six credits).
  • Interest does, however, accrue 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 Parent Loans (PLUS)

Direct Parent Loan (PLUS)

This loan is subject to credit approval, which is determined by the Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Center. Notification of approval or denial will be sent to your parent/stepparent/adoptive parent via mail/email.

  • Your parent/step-parent/adoptive parent 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 Direct 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 Direct PLUS loan can be deferred until six months after the dependent student (for whom the loan is borrowed) graduates or falls below half-time (six credits) by contacting the servicer of the loan.

Important Information Regarding Alternative Bank Loans

Alternative Bank Loans

For students/families who do not qualify for financial aid or who need additional help financing their education, consider alternative bank loan options:

Alternative Bank Loans: An alternative loan is a private loan in the student’s, parents’, or sponsors’ name which, depending on the applicant’s credit worthiness, may require a co-signer. All firstyear students require a co-signer. Students may borrow up to their cost of attendance (COA) minus any other accepted aid. We strongly advise students to apply for these loans at least 30 days prior to the billing due date.

  • Interest charges will begin once the funds are disbursed to the University
  • It is recommended that borrowers apply for these loans for the whole year (fall/spring)
  • If a student is applying for a loan to finance non-Pace housing, the student must provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of his/her signed lease agreement (all parties’ signatures must be present and the student must be a lessee on the agreement) prior to submitting the loan application
  • Learn more about additional information on alternative loans and a partial list of participating lenders.

Pace University does not endorse any particular lender. Be sure to read allfinancial terms before signing for a private loan.