General Eligibility
One of the most important things to know in Financial Aid is your eligibility. Make sure you know what you need to do to establish and maintain your eligibility along with what types of aid you qualify for. To be considered eligible for most financial aid programs a student must: be matriculated (accepted for and enrolled in a degree program, or certain certificate programs), be enrolled in at least six credits per semester, be making satisfactory academic progress, demonstrate financial need (for need-based aid), and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by November 15 (for priority consideration). There are very few exceptions to these basic eligibility criteria, and many financial aid programs have additional eligibility criteria. The basis of selection for most awards is ability and/or financial need.
| Eligibility Criteria | Pace University Aid Programs | Federal Student Aid Programs | New York State Aid Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| Must be admitted as a matriculated student in a degree or certificate program at Pace University. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester (except for Pell Grants). | Yes | Yes | Yes** |
| Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward degree. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Must demonstrate financial need (for need-based aid) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (permanent residents, certain refugees). | Yes* | Yes | Yes*** |
| Must be registered for the Selective Service (only applicable to males aged 18 and older). | No | Yes | No |
| Must not be in default of a federal student loan. | No | Yes | Yes |
| Must not owe a repayment on a Federal student grant. | No | Yes | Yes |
| Must have and provide a valid Social Security Number. | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| Combination of Federal aid and all other aid received may not exceed the Cost of Attendance. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
***Indicates recipients must be a New York State resident for over one year.
**Indicates to refer to New York State Guidelines (most require 12 credits or more).
*Indicates not required to renew Pace University merit-based scholarships.
Additional Information
Pace University students can receive financial aid awards from Pace University, the federal government, New York state, and other organizations. Each entity establishes it's own eligibility criteria and specific renewal requirements.
Federal Student Aid and Drug Convictions
The FAFSA Simplification Act has eliminated previous restrictions on federal financial aid eligibility for students with drug-related convictions.
What This Means for You:
- Drug convictions no longer affect your eligibility for Title IV federal student aid.
- The drug conviction questions have been removed from the FAFSA form.
- Students with drug convictions can receive federal financial aid if they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Important Exception:
Students subject to a federal drug abuse hold under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act may still have restrictions on receiving certain federal benefits. This specific provision remains in effect.