Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid from the Federal Government, New York State or Pace University, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply online starting October 1st each year (December 1, 2024 for the 2025–2026 award year).

You and your parents (if applicable) must electronically sign the FAFSA online using your unique FSA ID. If you and/or your parents do not have an FSA ID you can create one at the Federal Student Aid website.

For priority consideration, you should file the FAFSA no later than February 15 for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year and November 15 for all other years, as some awards are made to qualifying applicants on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please note, that you can continue to file your FAFSA after this date.

Students admitted to Pace University for the Spring semester should file the FAFSA no later than December 1st for priority consideration.

When you complete the FAFSA you will need to list one of the following Pace University campus codes:

PLEASE ONLY LIST ONE PACE UNIVERSITY CODE ON YOUR FAFSA:

• New York City campus: 002791
• Pleasantville campus: 002792
• White Plains campus: 002727

To complete your application for New York State aid (New York residents only), complete the Express TAP Application (ETA) online. (You will be provided with a link to the ETA from the FAFSA website after you finish filing your FAFSA.)

Legal New York residents who did not submit the online TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) application after completing the FAFSA and who wish to be considered for New York State aid should visit the New York State HESC website for more information and to complete the New York State TAP application.

To apply for the Direct Parent PLUS loan, you and your parent must complete the electronic application linked to your Pace Portal. Our electronic application, and PDF version for those who wish to print and complete the application, can also be found on the Forms and Applications page of the Financial Aid website. Applicants must pass a credit check through the Department of Education to be approved for this loan.

For Parent Borrowers:
Steps to Finalizing Your Parent PLUS Loan

1. Complete the Electronic Parent PLUS Loan Application at StudentAid.gov.
2. If credit approved:
   • Parent Borrowers must complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Parents using their unique FSA ID at StudentAid.gov.
3. If credit denied:
   • Parent Borrowers can appeal their credit denial at StudentAid.gov
     • PLUS MPN for Parents and PLUS Credit Counseling must be completed once credit-approved with appeal approval.
   • Parent Borrowers can seek a credit-worthy cosigner and have them submit the Endorser Addendum at StudentAid.gov
     • PLUS MPN for Parents and PLUS Credit Counseling must be completed once credit-approved with a co-signer.
   • or Students can receive an additional Unsubsidized Stafford loan as per the application.

To apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete the Graduate PLUS Loan application. Our electronic application, and PDF version for those who wish to print and complete the application, can also be found on the Forms and Applications page of the Financial Aid website. Applicants must pass a credit check through the Department of Education to be approved for this loan.

Steps to Finalizing Your Graduate PLUS Loan

1. Complete the Electronic Graduate PLUS Loan Application at StudentAid.gov.
   • For PDF submissions: please use our Document Submission Form to securely submit your completed Graduate PLUS Loan Application
2. If credit approved:
   • Borrowers must complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Students using their unique FSA ID at StudentAid.gov.
3. If credit denied:
   • Borrowers can appeal their credit denial at StudentAid.gov
     • PLUS MPN for Students and PLUS Credit Counseling must be completed once credit-approved with appeal approval.
   • Borrowers can seek a credit worthy cosigner and have them submit the Endorser Addendum at StudentAid.gov
     • PLUS MPN for Students and PLUS Credit Counseling must be completed once credit-approved with a co-signer.

Apply for Endowed Scholarships from Pace University (Continuing and Resuming students only).

To apply for Alternative Loans from private lenders, apply on your lender's website and provide your lender with any requested documentation. For more information please visit the Alternative Financing page of the Financial Aid website.

1. Go to Pace Portal
2. Log in with your Pace Portal username and password.
   • If you are a new student and do not have your username or password, review the ITS New Student Checklist for step-by-step instructions to activate your Pace student account.
3. After logging in, click on the “Students” tab.
4. Scroll down on the left and select the “Financial Aid System” link.
5. Click on the "Award Offer" tab to:
   • Review important information financial aid information and your aid offers for the current aid year.
   • Accept/decline your aid offers.

If you have access issues, try changing your browser. If issues persist, email the Pace University Help Desk.

Obtaining your Scholarship Agreement form

1. Follow steps 1-5 of the Accepting your Financial Aid instructions, listed above.
2. Review your "Home" tab to review your financial aid status and list of Student Requirements.
3. Review the "Unsatisfied Requirements" section on your "Home" tab.
4. Click the link for your Scholarship Award Agreement Form.
   • Sign in again using your Pace Portal username and password.
   • Your Award Agreement will open up. Review the terms and conditions of your Scholarship.
   • Electronically sign and submit your agreement form.
   • Click the PDF link on the confirmation page to save a signed copy for your records.

1. Follow steps 1-5 of the Accepting your Financial Aid instructions, listed above.
2. Review your "Home" tab to review your financial aid status and list of Student Requirements.
3. Review the "Unsatisfied Requirements" section on your "Home" tab.
4. Click the link for your Scholarship Award Agreement Form.
   • Sign in again using your Pace Portal username and password.
   • Your Award Agreement will open up. Review the terms and conditions of your Scholarship.
   • Electronically sign and submit your agreement form.
   • Click the PDF link on the confirmation page to save a signed copy for your records.
5. Most Pace University scholarships require the completion of a separate Scholarship Award Agreement form.

Students must maintain all the terms and conditions of their award agreement form to qualify for renewal of the award each year.

If you decide to accept Federal Work Study as part of your Financial Aid award, you will be eligible to become a Student Employee. Student employees are very important to the University. They assist in almost every office/department of the University.

A work study experience will allow you the opportunity to become a productive member of the University community and earn money, while developing important job skills.

A work study job is not guaranteed. Please apply for open positions through the Pace Human Resource Office. If you become employed, you will be paid directly by check twice a month for the hours worked during the previous pay period.

If you are accepting a Federal Direct Loan for the first time, you must complete the required Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note by logging into StudentAid.gov using your unique FSA ID.

If you have previously accepted any Federal Direct Loans and do not maintain continuous Fall/Spring minimum enrollment (drop below 6 credit (half-time) enrollment), or are about to graduate, you must complete Exit Counseling at StudentAid.gov.

NSDLS
You can check the status of any Federal Direct Loans or grants you were awarded by logging into your NSLDS account. You will need the FSA ID you created to sign your FAFSA in order to sign into NSLDS.